Negative Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Research Articles

Palmitoleate Is a Mitogen, Formed upon Stimulation with Growth Factors, and Converted to Palmitoleoyl-phosphatidylinositol

Controversial correlations between biological activity and concentration of the novel lipokine palmitoleate (9Z-hexadecenoate, 16:1) might depend on the formation of an active 16:1 metabolite. For its identification, we analyzed the glycerophospholipid composition of mouse Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts in response to 16:1 using LC-MS/MS. 16:1 was either supplemented to the cell culture medium or endogenously formed when cells were stimulated with insulin or growth factors as suggested by the enhanced mRNA expression of 16:1-biosynthetic enzymes. The proportion of 1-acyl-2-16:1-sn-phosphatidylinositol (16:1-PI) was time-dependently and specifically increased relative to other glycerophospholipids under both conditions and correlated with the proliferation of fatty acid (16:1, palmitate, oleate, or arachidonate)-supplemented cells. Accordingly, cell proliferation was impaired by blocking 16:1 biosynthesis using the selective stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 inhibitor CAY10566 and restored by supplementation of 16:1. The accumulation of 16:1-PI occurred throughout cellular compartments and within diverse mouse cell lines (Swiss 3T3, NIH-3T3, and 3T3-L1 cells). To elucidate further whether 16:1-PI is formed through the de novo or remodeling pathway of PI biosynthesis, phosphatidate levels and lyso-PI-acyltransferase activities were analyzed as respective markers. The proportion of 16:1-phosphatidate was significantly increased by insulin and growth factors, whereas lyso-PI-acyltransferases showed negligible activity for 16:1-coenzyme A. The relevance of the de novo pathway for 16:1-PI biosynthesis is supported further by the comparable incorporation rate of deuterium-labeled 16:1 and tritium-labeled inositol into PI for growth factor-stimulated cells. In conclusion, we identified 16:1 or 16:1-PI as mitogen whose biosynthesis is induced by growth factors.

Linkage and Branch Analysis of High-Mannose Oligosaccharides Using Closed-Ring Labeling of 8-Aminopyrene-1,3,6-Trisulfonate and P-Aminobenzoic Ethyl Ester and Negative Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry

A strategy based on negative ion electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and closed-ring labeling with both 8-aminopyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonate (APTS) and p-aminobenzoic acid ethyl ester (ABEE) was developed for linkage and branch determination of high-mannose oligosaccharides. X-type cross-ring fragment ions obtained from APTS-labeled oligosaccharides by charge remote fragmentation provided information on linkages near the non-reducing terminus. In contrast, A-type cross-ring fragment ions observed from ABEE-labeled oligosaccharides yielded information on linkages near the reducing terminus. This complementary information provided by APTS- and ABEE-labeled oligosaccharides was utilized to delineate the structures of the high-mannose oligosaccharides. As a demonstration of this approach, the linkages and branches of high-mannose oligosaccharides Man(5)GlcNAc(2), Man(6)GlcNAc(2), Man(8)GlcNAc(2), and Man(9)GlcNAc(2) cleaved from the ribonuclease B were assigned from MS(2) spectra of ABEE- and APTS-labeled derivatives.

Simple and Fast Quantification of Nitisone (NTBC) using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method in Plasma of Tyrosinemia Type 1 Patients

Tyrosinemia type 1, which is caused by a deficiency in fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase, is successfully treatable with nitisone (NTBC), an inhibitor of 4-hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase. The recommended average dose of NTBC is 1 mg/kg per day. A rapid liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with negative electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the quantification of NTBC in heparinized human plasma. The plasma samples were prepared by precipitation in acetonitrile. NTBC and the internal standard (IS) were chromatographed on a BEH C18 column. Gradient elution was done with a mixture of 10 mM ammonium acetate and methanol. The analyte was analyzed by LC-tandem mass spectrometry with only 2 min run time. Selected reaction monitoring modes for detection of NTBC and the IS were achieved by using m/z 328 > 281 and 234 > 190, respectively. The LC retention times for NTBC and IS were 0.99 and 0.93 min, respectively. The method was linear in the concentration range of 0.75-150 µM with r ≥ 0.998. Thus, this method is suitable for follow-up of patients treated with NTBC, because the current therapeutical concentrations range from 20 to 120 µM.

Characterization and identification of chemical compositions in the extract of Artemisia rupestris L. by liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography coupled to negative electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) employing a time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometer was used in the structural determination of phenolic compounds and sesquiterpenoids occurring in the extract from Artemisia rupestris L. A total of 91 compounds including chlorogenic acid derivatives, flavonoids (aglycone, O-glycosyl, C-glycosyl and C,O-glycosyl), 2-phenoxychromones and guaiane sesquiterpenoids were identified by comparing the retention time and fragmentation behavior with reference standards or according to accurate mass measurement and the characteristic fragmentation at low and high collision energy. Most of these compounds were reported in Artemisia rupestris L. for the first time. Meanwhile, the proposed pathway and the major diagnostic fragmentation of 2-phenoxychromone and rupestonic acid were investigated to trace 2-phenoxychromone and rupestonic acid derivatives in crude plant extracts. According to these rules, we have successfully characterized five potential novel compounds including three 2-phenoxychromones (6-demethoxy-4'-O-methylcapillarisin-O-hexosylglucuronide, 6-demethoxy-4'-O-methylcapillarisin-O-pentosylhexoside and 6-demethoxy-4'-O-methylcapillarisin-O-deoxyhexosylhexoside) and two sesquiterpenoids (hexosyl-glycurinide-rupestonic acid and hexoside-rupestonic acid).

Re‐examination of the anion derivatives of isoflavones by radical fragmentation in negative electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry: experimental and computational studies

This paper reports theoretical and experimental studies of gas-phase fragmentation reactions of four naturally occurring isoflavones. The samples were analyzed in negative ion mode by direct infusion in ESI-QqQ, ESI-QqTOF and ESI-Orbitrap systems. The MS/MS and MS(n) spectra are in agreement with the fragmentation proposals and high-resolution analyses have confirmed the formulae for each ion observed. As expected, compounds with methoxyl aromatic substitution have showed a radical elimination of •CH(3) as the main fragmentation pathway. A second radical loss (•H) occurs as previously observed for compounds which exhibit a previous homolytic •CH(3) cleavage (radical anion) and involves radical resonance to stabilize the anion formed. However, in this study we suggest another mechanism for the formation of the main ions, on the basis of the enthalpies for each species. Compounds without methoxy substituent dissociate at the highest energies and exhibit the deprotonated molecule as the most intense ion. Finally, energy-resolved experiments were carried out to give more details about the gas-phase dissociation reaction of the isoflavones and the results are in agreement with the theoretical approaches.

Differentiation of Positional Isomers of Hybrid Peptides Containing Repeats of β-Nucleoside Derived Amino Acid (β-Nda-) and L-Amino Acids by Positive and Negative Ion Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MSn)

A new class of positional isomeric pairs of -Boc protected oligopeptides comprised of alternating nucleoside derived β-amino acid (β-Nda-) and L-amino acid residues (alanine, valine, and phenylalanine) have been differentiated by both positive and negative ion electrospray ionization ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS(n)). The protonated dipeptide positional isomers with β-Nda- at the N-terminus lose CH(3)OH, NH(3), and C(2)H(4)O(2), whereas these processes are absent for the peptides with L-amino acids at the N-terminus. Instead, the presence of L-amino acids at the N-terminus results in characteristic retro-Mannich reaction involving elimination of imine. A good correlation has been observed between the conformational structure of the peptides and the abundance of y(n)(+) and b(n)(+) ions in MS(n) spectra. In the case of tetrapeptide isomers that are reported to form helical structures in solution phase, no y(n)(+) and b(n)(+) ions are observed when the corresponding amide -NH- participates in the helical structures. In contrast, significant y(n)(+) and b(n)(+) ions are formed when the amide -NH- is not involved in the H-bonding. In the case of tetra- and hexapeptides, it is observed that abundant b(n)(+) ions are formed, presumably with stable oxazolone structures when the C-terminus of the b(n)(+) ions possessed L-amino acid and the β-Nda- at the C-terminus appears to prevent the cyclization process leading to the absence of corresponding b(n)(+) ions.

Regioselective anion attachment leading to regiospecific decompositions of bifunctional steroids in negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

Regioselective anion attachment leading to regiospecific decompositions of bifunctional steroids in negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

Identification of N-glycans from Ebola virus glycoproteins by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight and negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry.

The larger fragment of the transmembrane glycoprotein (GP1) and the soluble glycoprotein (sGP) of Ebola virus were expressed in human embryonic kidney cells and the secreted products were purified from the supernatant for carbohydrate analysis. The N-glycans were released with PNGase F from within sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) gels. Identification of the glycans was made with normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry, negative ion electrospray ionisation fragmentation mass spectrometry and exoglycosidase digestion. Most glycans were complex bi-, tri- and tetra-antennary compounds with reduced amounts of galactose. No bisected compounds were detected. Triantennary glycans were branched on the 6-antenna; fucose was attached to the core GlcNAc residue. Sialylated glycans were present on sGP but were largely absent from GP1, the larger fragment of the transmembrane glycoprotein. Consistent with this was the generally higher level of processing of carbohydrates found on sGP as evidenced by a higher percentage of galactose and lower levels of high-mannose glycans than were found on GP1. These results confirm and expand previous findings on partial characterisation of the Ebola virus transmembrane glycoprotein. They represent the first detailed data on carbohydrate structures of the Ebola virus sGP.

Liquid Chromatography with Post-Column Reagent Addition of Ammonia in Methanol Coupled to Negative Ion Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Determination of Phenoxyacid Herbicides and their Degradation Products in Surface Water

A new liquid chromatography (LC)-negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI(-))-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) method with post-column addition of ammonia in methanol has been developed for the analysis of acid herbicides: 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, 4-chloro-o-tolyloxyacetic acid, 2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)butyric acid, mecoprop, dichlorprop, 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) butyric acid, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy propionic acid, dicamba and bromoxynil, along with their degradation products: 4-chloro-2-methylphenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol and 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid. The samples were extracted from the surface water matrix using solid-phase extraction (SPE) with a polymeric sorbent and analyzed with LC ESI(-) with selected reaction monitoring (SRM) using a three-point confirmation approach. Chromatography was performed on a Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C18 (50 x 4.6 mm i.d., 1.8 mum) with a gradient elution using water-methanol with 2 mM ammonium acetate mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.15 mL/min. Ammonia in methanol (0.8 M) was added post-column at a flow rate of 0.05 mL/min to enhance ionization of the degradation products in the MS source. One SRM transition was used for quantitative analysis while the second SRM along with the ratio of SRM1/SRM2 within the relative standard deviation determined by standards for each individual pesticide and retention time match were used for confirmation. The standard deviation of ratio of SRM1/SRM2 obtained from standards run on the day of analysis for different phenoxyacid herbicides ranged from 3.9 to 18.5%. Limits of detection (LOD) were between 1 and 15 ng L(-1) and method detection limits (MDL) with strict criteria requiring <25% deviation of peak area from best-fit line for both SRM1 and SRM2 ranged from 5 to 10 ng L(-1) for acid ingredients (except dicamba at 30 ng L(-1)) and from 2 to 30 ng L(-1) for degradation products. The SPE-LC-ESI(-) MS/MS method permitted low nanogram-per-liter determination of pesticides and degradation products for surface water samples.

Characterization of an exception to the ‘even‐electron rule’ upon low‐energy collision induced decomposition in negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

Electrospray-generated precursor ions usually follow the 'even-electron rule' and yield 'closed shell' fragment ions. We characterize an exception to the 'even-electron rule.' In negative ion electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS), 2-(ethoxymethoxy)-3-hydroxyphenol (2-hydroxyl protected pyrogallol) easily formed a deprotonated molecular ion (M-H)(-) at m/z 183. Upon low-energy collision induced decomposition (CID), the m/z 183 precursor yielded a radical ion at m/z 124 as the base peak. The radical anion at m/z 124 was still the major fragment at all tested collision energies between 0 and 50 eV (E(lab)). Supported by computational studies, the appearance of the radical anion at m/z 124 as the major product ion can be attributed to the combination of a low reverse activation barrier and resonance stabilization of the product ions. Furthermore, our data lead to the proposal of a novel alternative radical formation pathway in the protection group removal of pyrogallol.

Rapid simultaneous determination of dexamethasone and betamethasone in milk by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with isotope dilution

A simple, sensitive and reliable analytical method for the rapid simultaneous determination of dexamethasone and betamethasone in milk by high performance liquid chromatography–negative electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–NESI-MS/MS) with isotope dilution was developed. Samples were directly purified through C 18 cartridge. Then the eluate was dried under nitrogen and residues were dissolved in mobile phase. Samples were analyzed by HPLC–MS/MS on a Hypercarb graphite column with a mixture of acetonitrile–water–formic acid as mobile phase. The samples were quantified using dexamethasone-D 4 as an internal standard. The procedure was validated according to the European Union regulation 2002/657/EC determining specificity, decision limit (CCα), detection capability (CCβ), trueness, precision, linearity and stability. The method is demonstrated to be suitable for the determination of dexamethasone and betamethasone in milk. The total time required for the analysis of one sample was about 35 min.

Structural characterization of trace stilbene glycosides in Lysidice brevicalyx Wei using liquid chromatography/diode-array detection/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

The mass fragmentation patterns of stilbene glycosides isolated from the genus Lysidice were investigated by negative ion electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, and the influence of collision energy on their fragmentation behavior is discussed. It is found that the presence of the Y(0)(-) and B(0)(-) ions in the MS(2) spectra is characteristic for 1-->6 linked diglycosyl stilbenes, while the Y(0)(-), Y(1)(-), and Z(1)(-) ions are representative ions of 1-->2 linked diglycosyl stilbenes. These results indicate that ESI-MS(n) in the negative ion mode can be used to differentiate 1-->6 and 1-->2 linked diglycosyl stilbenes. Based on the fragmentation rules, 9 new trace constituents were identified or tentatively characterized in a fraction of Lysidice brevicalyx by using HPLC/HRMS and HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS(n). The results of the present study can assist in on-line structural identification of analogous constituents and targeted isolation of novel compounds from crude plant extracts.

Quantitative analysis of plasma caffeic and ferulic acid equivalents by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A validated method was developed for the simultaneous determination of the hydroxycinnamates caffeic acid (CA), dihydrocaffeic acid (DHCA), ferulic acid (FA), dihydroferulic acid (DHFA), and isoferulic acid (IFA) in human plasma as metabolites derived from coffee consumption. The method includes a protein precipitation step prior to enzymatic hydrolysis of the conjugated metabolites (sulfate, glucuronide, and/or ester) back to their aglycone forms. After liquid–liquid extraction, the reconstituted extract was analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to negative electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry. Calibration curves were constructed from spiked human plasma samples in the range of 0–4800 nM for each of the targeted analytes. Two internal standards, 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid (500 nM) and 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid (200 nM), were spiked at the beginning of the sample preparation and before analysis, respectively. Good performance data were obtained with limits of detection and quantification of the five hydroxycinnamates ranging between 1–15 nM and 3–50 nM, respectively. Within and between-days precisions were respectively calculated between 8–18% and 8–30% (at 50 nM added initially), between 6–9% and 6–12% (at 200 nM), and between 5–9% and 5–9% (at 500 nM). Precision calculated from different analysts ranged from 18% to 44% (at 50 nM), from 8% to 16% (at 200 nM), and from 4% to 8% (at 500 nM). Using this method, we determined plasma levels in humans and measured the efficiency of deconjugation using our enzymatic cocktail.

Liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry analysis method for simultaneous detection of trichloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)glutathione and S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine

Trichloroethylene (TCE, CAS 79-01-6) is a widely used industrial chemical, and a common environmental pollutant. TCE is a well-known carcinogen in rodents and is classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans”. Several analytical methods have been proposed for detection of TCE metabolites in biological media utilizing derivatization-free techniques; however, none of them is suitable for simultaneous detection of both oxidative metabolites and glutathione conjugates of TCE in small volume biological samples. Here, we report a new combination of methods for assessment of major TCE metabolites: dichloroacetic acid (DCA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine (DCVC), and S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl) glutathione (DCVG). First, DCA and TCA were extracted with ether. Second, the remaining aqueous fraction underwent solid phase extraction for DCVC and DCVG. Then, DCA and TCA were measured by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography ion exchange negative electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, while DCVC and DCVG were measured by reverse phase positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. This method was applied successfully to measure all 4 TCE metabolites in as little as 50 μl of serum from mice orally exposed to TCE (2100 mg/kg, 2 h). Serum concentrations (mean ± standard deviation) of the TCE metabolites obtained with this method are comparable or equivalent to those previously reported in the literature: DCA, 0.122 ± 0.014 nmol/ml (limit of detection: 0.01 nmol/ml); TCA, 256 ± 30 nmol/ml (0.4 nmol/ml); DCVG, 0.037 ± 0.015 nmol/ml (0.001 nmol/ml); DCVC, 0.0024 ± 0.0009 nmol/ml (0.001 nmol/ml). This method opens new opportunities to increase throughput and decrease number of animals required for mechanistic studies on TCE in rodents.

Simultaneous Determination of Losartan and Hydrochlorothiazide in Human Plasma by LC/MS/MS with Electrospray Ionization and Its Application to Pharmacokinetics

A method based on a simple liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with negative ion electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) detection was developed for the simultaneous determination of losartan (LOS) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in human plasma, using valsartan (VAL) and chlorthalidone (CHTD) as an internal standard, respectively. The acquisition was performed in multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) and the limit of quantification was 4 ng/mL for both LOS and HCTZ. The method was linear in the studied range (4–800 ng/mL for LOS and 4–500 ng/mL for HCTZ). The intra-assay precisions ranged from 2.6–11.9% for LOS and 1.4–8.2% for HCTZ, while the inter-assay precisions ranged from 1.0–8.0% for LOS and 2.5–7.7% for HCTZ. The intra-assay accuracies ranged from 91.3 to 107.6% for LOS and 91.5 to 105.8% for HCTZ, while the inter-assay accuracies ranged from 99.9 to 106.4% for LOS and 97.4 to 101.4% for HCTZ. The analytical method was applied to a bioequivalence study, in which 28 healthy adult volunteers (14 men) received single oral doses (100 mg LOS + 25 mg HCTZ) of reference and test formulations, in an open, two-period, balanced randomized, crossover protocol. Based on the 90% confidence interval of the individual ratios for Cmax and AUC0-inf, it was concluded that the test formulation is bioequivalent to the reference Hyzaar® formulation with respect to the rate and extent of absorption of both LOS and HCTZ.

Ion Chromatography in Combination with ESI Ion Trap MS for the Analysis of Diphacinone in Animal Livers

Analysis of diphacinone is often performed on C18 column by reserved phase liquid chromatographic methods coupled with ultraviolet detection or by ion-pair chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. In this work, a sensitive and selective method using eluent generator reagent free ion chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometric detection for the quantification of diphacinone in animal livers has been developed. Samples were extracted with 10% (v/v) methanol in acetonitrile after spiking with warfarin (internal standard, IS) and cleaned by solid-phase extraction. The analytes were separated on an IonPac AS11 analytical column (250 mm × 4.0 mm) using 30.0 mmol L−1 KOH (achieved by a KOH eluent generator) containing 10% (v/v) methanol as organic modifier at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min−1. Detection was performed by negative electrospray ionization and ion trap tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode with a transition of m/z 339 → 167 for diphacinone, and 307 → 161 for IS, respectively. The calibration curve was linear (r 2 = 0.993) in the concentration range of 1.0–200.0 ng mL−1 with a lower limit of quantification of 0.3 ng g−1 in animal livers. Intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations (RSDs) were less than 8.7 and 12.5%, respectively. Recoveries of diphacinone ranged from 81.2 to 89.5%. It was confirmed that this method could be used in clinical diagnosis or forensic toxicology.

Determination of glycemic monitoring marker 1,5-anhydroglucitol in plasma by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

Previous studies have shown that plasma 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) is markedly reduced among diabetic patients and therefore serves as a sensitive marker for short-term glycemic control. The current study describes the development of the liquid chromatography negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method to measure 1,5-AG in human plasma. The samples were pre-treated with protein precipitation and an isotope-labeled internal standard was used. Chromatographic separation was achieved on amide column (150 mm × 2.0 mm i.d., 5 μm) followed by detection with multiple reaction monitoring mode. Linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery, matrix effect, and stability were evaluated during method validation over the range of 1–50 μg/mL. The validated method has been clinically applied among 159 type 2 diabetic patients and 290 control subjects. A marked reduction in 1,5-AG levels among the diabetic patients and significant between-gender difference in nondiabetic subjects were observed.

Negative ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of nucleoside phosphoramidate monoesters: elucidation of novel rearrangement mechanisms by multistage mass spectrometry incorporating in‐source deuterium labelling

Several O-2',3'-isopropylideneuridine-O-5'-phosphoramidate monoesters were synthesized and analyzed by negative ion electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS(n)). Two kinds of novel rearrangement reactions were observed due to the difference in the amino acid in the nucleoside phosphoramidate monoesters, and possible mechanisms were proposed. One involves a five-membered cyclic transition state. The other is formation of a stable five-membered ring intermediate by Michael addition. Results were confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry and isotopically labeled hydrogen atoms. Furthermore, the internal hydrogen exchange between active hydrogen and methyl acrylate in the heated capillary of the mass spectrometer was found. The characteristic fragmentation behavior in ESI-MS may be used to monitor this kind of compounds in the biological metabolism.

Structural elucidation of in vitro metabolites of emodin by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) was employed to investigate the in vitro metabolism of emodin. Emodin was incubated with rat liver microsomes in the presence of a NADPH-generating system, followed by extraction with ethyl acetate. After separation on a reversed-phase C18 analytical column with a linear gradient elution of methanol and 0.1% formic acid in water, negative electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry experiments were performed. As a result, the parent drug and its six metabolites were detected from rat liver microsomal incubations. The identification of the metabolites and elucidation of their structure were performed by comparing the changes in molecular masses (DeltaM), retention times and MS(2) spectral patterns of metabolites with those of parent drug. Besides three mono-hydroxylated metabolites (omega-hydroxyemodin, 2-hydroxyemodin, 4-hydroxyemodin), three other metabolites were identified, which were emodic acid, 3-carbomethoxy-6-methoxy-1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone and physcion, respectively.

Mass spectrometric quantification of the relative amounts of C6 and C3 position phosphorylated glucosyl residues in starch

The quantification of phosphate bound to the C6 and C3 positions of glucose residues in starch has received increasing interest since the importance of starch phosphorylation for plant metabolism was discovered. The method described here is based on the observation that the isobaric compounds glucose-6-phosphate (Glc6P) and glucose-3-phosphate (Glc3P) exhibit significantly different fragmentation patterns in negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). A simple experiment involving collision-induced dissociation (CID) MS 2 spectra of the sample and the two reference substances Glc3P and Glc6P permitted the quantification of the relative amounts of the two compounds in monosaccharide mixtures generated by acid hydrolysis of starch. The method was tested on well-characterized potato tuber starch. The results are consistent with those obtained by NMR analysis. In contrast to NMR, however, the presented method is fast and can be performed on less than 1 mg of starch. Starch samples of other origins exhibiting a variety of phosphorylation degrees were analyzed to assess the sensitivity and robustness of the method.