Positive Ion Chemical Ionization Research Articles

GC-MS Studies on Derivatization of Creatinine and Creatine by BSTFA and Their Measurement in Human Urine.

In consideration of its relatively constant urinary excretion rate, creatinine (2-amino-1-methyl-5H-imidazol-4-one, MW 113.1) in urine is a useful endogenous biochemical parameter to correct the urinary excretion rate of numerous endogenous and exogenous substances. Reliable measurement of creatinine by gas chromatography (GC)-based methods requires derivatization of its amine and keto groups. Creatinine exists in equilibrium with its open form creatine (methylguanidoacetic acid, MW 131.1), which has a guanidine and a carboxylic group. Trimethylsilylation and trifluoroacetylation of creatinine and creatine are the oldest reported derivatization methods for their GC-mass spectrometry (MS) analysis in human serum using flame- or electron-ionization. We performed GC-MS studies on the derivatization of creatinine (d0-creatinine), [methylo-2H3]creatinine (d3-creatinine, internal standard) and creatine (d0-creatine) with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) using standard derivatization conditions (60 min, 60 °C), yet in the absence of any base. Reaction products were characterized both in the negative-ion chemical ionization (NICI) and in the positive-ion chemical ionization (PICI) mode. Creatinine and creatine reacted with BSTFA to form several derivatives. Their early eluting N,N,O-tris(trimethylsilyl) derivatives (8.9 min) were found to be useful for the precise and accurate measurement of the sum of creatinine and creatine in human urine (10 µL, up to 20 mM) by selected-ion monitoring (SIM) of m/z 271 (d0-creatinine/d0-creatine) and m/z 274 (d3-creatinine) in the NICI mode. In the PICI mode, SIM of m/z 256, m/z 259, m/z 272 and m/z 275 was performed. BSTFA derivatization of d0-creatine from a freshly prepared solution in distilled water resulted in formation of two lMate-eluting derivatives (14.08 min, 14.72 min), presumably creatinyl-creatinine, with the creatininyl residue existing in its enol form (14.08 min) and keto form (14.72 min). Our results suggest that BSTFA derivatization does not allow specific analysis of creatine and creatinine by GC-MS. Preliminary analyses suggest that pentafluoropropionic anhydride (PFPA) is also not useful for the measurement of creatinine in the presence of creatine. Both BSTFA and PFPA facilitate the conversion of creatine to creatinine. Specific measurement of creatinine in urine is possible by using pentafluorobenzyl bromide in aqueous acetone.

GC Analysis of Seven Seed Oils Containing Conjugated Fatty Acids

The fatty acid compositions, including isomer compositions, of seven seed oils containing conjugated fatty acids (CFA) were determined. Seed oils were extracted using a modified Folch extraction, converted to fatty acid methyl esters, and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) with mass spectrometry and flame ionization detection. The MS detector was operated in positive-ion chemical ionization mode using methane reagent gas. GC was performed using two columns providing different retention characteristics: a poly(ethylene glycol) column and a more polar biscyanopropyl column. The complimentary information provided by the two columns was crucial to peak identification in several cases. The major CFA species in the samples are well known but all contained lesser amounts of additional CFA that have not been widely reported. All samples contained multiple species of conjugated linolenic acid, and two samples also contained small amounts of conjugated linoleic acid. The seed oils of Jacaranda mimosifolia and Calendula officinalis were found to contain 8c,10t,12t-18:3, the natural occurrence of which has only been recently reported in some other samples. The seed oil of Impatiens balsamina has been reported to contain four conjugated 18:4 species, and we present evidence for a fifth conjugated 18:4 isomer.

Detection of the Active Substance of an Anxiolytic Fabomotizole and Its Metabolite by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry with Positive Ion Chemical Ionization

Investigation of original drugs involves a study of pharmacokinetics and metabolism. Most investigations use HPLC/MS analysis. With the use of the active ingredient of a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic Fabomotizole [2-(2-morpholinoethylthio)-5-ethoxybenzylimidazole dihydrochloride)] and its metabolite as an example, it was found that capillary gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with positive ion chemical ionization can be applied to detect insignificant amounts of polar biologically active substances, which are chemically stable during the passage of the gas chromatographic system; however, the analytes can be lost at different stages of the analysis.

Structural investigation of perfluorocarboxylic acid derivatives formed in the reaction with N,N-dimethylformamide dialkylacetals.

A structural investigation of perfluorocarboxylic acid derivatives formed in the reaction with N,N-dimethylformamide dialkylacetals employing several techniques of mass spectrometry (MS) is described. Two derivatizing reagents, dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (DMF-DMA) and dimethylformamide diethylacetal (DMF-DEA) were used. In contrast to carboxylic acids, perfluorocarboxylic acids are not able to form alkyl esters as the main product in this reaction. We found that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) forms a salt with N,N-dimethylformamide dialkylacetals. This salt undergoes a further reaction inside the injection block of a gas chromatograph (GC) by loss of CO2 and then forms 1,1-perfluorooctane-(N,N,N,N-tetramethyl)-diamine. The GC-MS experiments using both electron ionization (EI) and positive-ion chemical ionization (PCI) revealed that the same reaction products are formed with either derivatizing reagent. Subjecting the perfluorocarboxylic acid derivative to electrospray ionization (ESI) and direct analysis in real time (DART), both positive- and negative-ion modes indicated that cluster ions are formed. In the positive-ion mode, this cluster ion consists of two iminium cations and one PFOA anion, while in the negative-ion mode, it comprises two PFOA anions and one cation. The salt structure was further confirmed by liquid injection field desorption/ionization (LIFDI) as well as infrared (IR) spectroscopy. We propose a simple mechanism of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylformamidinium cation formation. The structure elucidation is supported by specific fragment ions as obtained by GC-EI-MS and GC-PCI-MS analyses.

Improved sensitivity by use of gas chromatography-positive chemical ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry for the analysis of drug related substances.

In 2013, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) drastically lowered the minimum required performance levels (MRPLs) of most doping substances, demanding a substantial increase in sensitivity of the existing methods. For a number of compounds, conventional electron impact ionization gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS/MS) is often no longer sufficient to reach these MRPLs and new strategies are required. In this study, the capabilities of positive ion chemical ionization (PICI) GC-MS/MS are investigated for a wide range of drug related compounds of various classes by injection of silylated reference standards. Ammonia as PICI reagent gas had superior characteristics for GC-MS/MS purposes than methane. Compared to GC-EI-MS/MS, PICI (with ammonia as reagent gas) provided more selective ion transitions and consequently, increased sensitivity by an average factor of 50. The maximum increase (by factor of 500-1000) was observed in the analysis of stimulants, namely chlorprenaline, furfenorex and phentermine. In total, improved sensitivity was obtained for 113 out of 120 compounds. A new GC-PICI-MS/MS method has been developed and evaluated for the detection of a wide variety of exogenous doping substances and the quantification of endogenous steroids in urine in compliance with the required MRPLs established by WADA in 2013. The method consists of a hydrolysis and extraction step, followed by derivatization and subsequent 1μL pulsed splitless injection on GC-PICI-MS/MS (16min run). The increased sensitivity allows the set up of a balanced screening method that meets the requirements for both quantitative and qualitative compounds: sufficient capacity and resolution in combination with high sensitivity and short analysis time. This resulted in calibration curves with a wide linear range (e.g., 48-9600ng/mL for androsterone and etiochanolone; all r(2)>0.99) without compromising the requirements for the qualitative compounds.

A Chemical Ionization High-Resolution Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer Coupled to a Micro Orifice Volatilization Impactor (MOVI-HRToF-CIMS) for Analysis of Gas and Particle-Phase Organic Species

We describe a new instrument, chemical ionization (CI) high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ToFMS) coupled to a micro-orifice volatilization impactor (MOVI-HRToF-CIMS). The MOVI-HRToF-CIMS instrument is unique in that, within a compact field-deployable package, it provides (1) quantifiable molecular-level information for both gas and particle-phase organic species on timescales ranging from ≤1 s for gases to 10–60 min for particle-phase compounds that can be used to efficiently probe oxidation and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation mechanisms, and (2) relative volatility information of the detected compounds simultaneously estimated using the programmed thermal desorption information obtained from the MOVI. We demonstrate the capabilities of a prototype instrument using known test compounds and complex mixtures generated from the oxidation of biogenic and anthropogenic hydrocarbons. We present spectra obtained using both negative and positive ion CI with acetate (CH3C(O)O−) and protona...

ORAL PHARMACOKINETIC STUDY OF EXEMESTANE SMEDDS AND SUSPENSION IN RAT PLASMA BY LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRIC ANALYSIS

To evaluate the bioavailability of exemestane (EXM) from self-micro emulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) and suspension formulations, a sensitive, specific, and rapid liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric method was developed and validated. The analyte was extracted from plasma samples and detected by mass spectrometry (MS) with an atmospheric pressure positive-ion chemical ionization (APCI) mode using a heated nebulizer interface. Progesterone (PGS) was used as the internal standard. A Hychrome RPB-L428 column was used to perform the chromatographic separation, the mobile phase being methanol and 15 mM ammonium formate (80:20). The MS detection used a heated nebulizer interface, with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) operated in positive-ion mode. Both, EXM and PGS were well-separated and identified by their relative retention times, that is, 1.13 and 1.84 min, respectively. After oral administration of EXM loaded SMEDDS and suspension formulation to rats, a significant difference was observed in the pharmacokinetic behavior of drug in both the formulations, and a 2.9-fold increase in the relative bioavailability of EXM was observed with the SMEDDS as compared with suspension formulation. The developed method was found to be suitable for bioanalysis of exemestane and, hence, successfully depicted the bioavailability enhancement of exemestane SMEDDS in Wistar rats.

Organophosphate and phthalate esters in standard reference material 2585 organic contaminants in house dust

The levels of 22 phthalate diesters (phthalates) and organophosphate triesters (organophosphates) have been investigated in standard reference material 2585 (SRM 2585) "organic contaminants in house dust." Ultrasonic-assisted solvent extraction and solid-phase extraction on a Florisil adsorbent were used as the extraction and cleanup steps combined with analysis using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in positive ion chemical ionization mode. Seven phthalates were detected in the concentration range 1-570 μg/g. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was the major phthalate present at 570 μg/g. Ten organophosphates were detected in SRM 2585. Tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate was the predominant organophosphate at 82 μg/g, and nine organophosphates were determined at concentrations ranging from 0.19 to 2.3 μg/g. Five organophosphates were below the method detection limit, of which two were in level with the procedural blank. The applied extraction and cleanup method was evaluated for the analysis of SRM 2585. The extraction yield was ≥99%, except for tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (97%) and diethyl phthalate (98.5%). The problem of calibration curvature is addressed, and it is shown that the use of deuterated standards improves the analysis. The concentrations of ten organophosphate esters were determined in SRM 2585, and seven of these were compared with existing data. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the levels of the seven phthalates esters in SRM 2585 "organic contaminants in house dust."

Simultaneous selective detection of organophosphate and phthalate esters using gas chromatography with positive ion chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry and its application to indoor air and dust

A selective and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of 14 organophosphate and six phthalate esters using gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS) is presented. Both of these compound classes are frequently found in the indoor environment due to their use as bulk additives in numerous polymers, consumer products and building materials. GC/MS utilizing positive ion chemical ionisation (PICI) in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode with isobutane as the reagent gas was found to be the best of the tested methods; it proved superior to electron ionisation (EI) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode and to PICI using methane as the reagent gas. The method was applied to indoor air samples collected by active air sampling using solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges. Organophosphates and phthalates were simultaneously determined with method detection limits (MDLs) in the range of 0.1-47 ng m(-3). For most compounds the MDLs were ≤0.2 ng m(-3), but due to the presence of some of these ubiquitous indoor air pollutants in the blanks, significantly higher MDLs were observed for a few compounds. Finally, the method was also applied in the screening of a much more complex sample matrix, indoor dust.

ChemInform Abstract: Mass Spectrometry of Prenylated Flavonoids

The fragmentation patterns originating from the degradation of prenyl group(s) in positive ion electron ionization (EI), fast-atom bombardment (FAB) and chemical ionization (CI) mass spectrometry (MS) of prenylated flavonoids were reviewed. The EI spectra showed the characteristic fragmentation patterns reflecting the location of prenyl group in the flavonoid compounds, whereas the FAB and CI spectra showed relatively monotonous patterns. It was described how the EI and FAB fragmentation patterns are useful for the identification of prenylated flavonoids

Mass spectral characteristics of the chlorinated disinfection byproduct 2,2,4-trichloro-5-methoxy-cyclopent-4-ene-1,3-dione

The objective of this paper was to correct the mistakes of a previous interpretation of electron impact ionization (EI) mass spectrum of the chlorinated disinfection byproduct (DBP) in drinking water naming 2,2,4-trichloro-5-methoxy-cyclopent-4-ene-1,3-dione (TCMCD). Moreover the positive-ion chemical ionization (CI +) and electrospray ionization (ESI +) mass spectra were also studied. As the search of new chlorinated disinfection byproducts in drinking water is a challenge and researchers generally have to attempt to identify unknown chlorinated products generated from incompletely defined starting materials, fully understanding the mass spectra of this compound may do some help for the analysis of other unknown chlorinated disinfection byproducts.

Investigation of reagent gases for the positive chemical ionization of select polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Abstract Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) fall into the class of compounds known as brominated flame retardants and their incorporation in a multitude of products is responsible for saving numerous lives. However, toxicology studies have alerted researchers to the potential adverse health effects that may develop as a result of prolonged or extreme exposure to these compounds. Frequent disposal and subsequent leaching has focused concern on environmental concentrations and current reports cite increasing levels. Method development continues in support of this research and the present work examines the feasibility of utilizing gas chromatography ion trap mass spectrometry operating in positive ion chemical ionization mode. In the evaluation of reagents for chemical ionization (methane, methanol and acetonitrile), comparative results of all three reagents demonstrated more difficult protonation as the number of bromine atoms increased. Methane, possessing the lowest proton affinity, provided the highest response for the analytes. Further, when methane chemical ionization was compared to electron impact ionization, the tetra-congener showed approximately 8× greater sensitivity and the penta- and hexa-congeners demonstrated approximately 2× greater. CI parameters, such as ionization and reaction times, were optimized to provide the highest analyte response and this was followed by the investigation of the employment of MS n . In the this mode, optimal excitation amplitude delivered sufficient fragmentation while maintaining maximum signal, yielding final instrument detection limits in the sub µg L − 1 range.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Detection of a Norfluoxetine Artifact in Hydrolyzed Urine Samples May Falsely Indicate Tranylcypromine Ingestion

In several cases, fluoxetine, its metabolites, its known artifacts, and supposedly tranylcypromine were detected in urine using the authors' systematic toxicological analysis (STA) procedure based on acid hydrolysis, extraction, and acetylation. As fluoxetine and tranylcypromine are absolutely contraindicated drugs and in none of the cases was tranylcypromine prescribed, the question of whether the detected compound might have been formed by fluoxetine and/or its metabolites arose. Therefore, rat urine taken after dosing with fluoxetine was screened in the same way. In addition, aqueous solutions of fluoxetine, norfluoxetine, tranylcypromine, and a mixture of the latter two drugs were worked-up and analyzed according to the STA and without hydrolysis. In urine specimens obtained from rats dosed with fluoxetine, tranylcypromine was detected as well as in the solution of worked-up norfluoxetine including hydrolysis. Its underlying mass spectrum could be identified by detailed interpretation of the fragmentation patterns as acetylated 3-phenyl-propyl-2-ene-amine. This compound could be postulated as hydrolysis product of norfluoxetine formed by ether cleavage and water elimination. Although this spectrum shows nearly the same fragmentation patterns as that of acetylated tranylcypromine, both compounds could finally be differentiated by their retention indices and by using the positive-ion chemical ionization mode.

Partitioning of fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOH) to semipermeable membrane devices (SPMD)

Fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOH) are widely used substances that were detected even in remote regions of the world. For the determination of FTOH in the atmosphere, appropriate sampling techniques are needed. In this study, triolein-filled low-density polyethylene tubes were used as semipermeable membrane devices (SPMD) and tested for their suitability as passive air samplers for FTOH. Partitioning to and from SPMD were investigated for four FTOH of different chain length and concentration levels in laboratory and field experiments. FTOH were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction with acetonitrile:n-hexane 1:1 and determined by gas chromatography (GC)-positive ion chemical ionisation mass spectrometry (MS). FTOH behaved differently depending on applied concentrations. At high FTOH levels, compound passage through the membrane and uptake appeared to be best for 6:2 FTOH, but passage of long-chain FTOH was in the same order of magnitude. At low FTOH concentration levels, mass transfer and uptake was best for short-chain FTOH. Partitioning of 4:2 FTOH to SPMD exceeded partitioning of 10:2 FTOH by nearly two orders of magnitude. FTOH partitioning to SPMD seems to be dependent on the fluorinated chain length and controlled by the SPMD membrane acting as a barrier. Migration of long-chain FTOH through the membrane was hampered, probably due to the oleophobic properties of the fluorinated alkyl chain. Because of the constricted diffusion of FTOH through the SPMD membrane at low FTOH levels, an adequate accumulation in the passive sampler is prevented. Thus, sensitivity of the analytical method in combination with the enrichment of FTOH in SPMD was not sufficient to achieve adequate method detection limit at low FTOH levels. Application of SPMD as passive air samplers for FTOH did not seem to be a suitable method for environmentally relevant FTOH concentrations. As a consequence, we can only recommend the use of SPMD for FTOH of presumably high contamination levels.

Identification of organic hydroperoxides and hydroperoxy acids in secondary organic aerosol formed during the ozonolysis of different monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes by on‐line analysis using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry

On-line ion trap mass spectrometry (ITMS) enables the real-time characterization of reaction products of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). The analysis was conducted by directly introducing the aerosol particles into the ion source. Positive-ion chemical ionization at atmospheric pressure (APCI(+)) ITMS was used for the characterization of constituents of biogenic SOA produced in reaction-chamber experiments. APCI in the positive-ion mode usually enables the detection of [M+H](+) ions of the individual SOA components. In this paper the identification of organic peroxides from biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by on-line APCI-ITMS is presented. Organic peroxides containing a hydroperoxy group, generated by gas-phase ozonolysis of monoterpenes (alpha-pinene and beta-pinene) and sesquiterpenes (alpha-cedrene and alpha-copaene), could be detected via on-line APCI(+)-MS/MS experiments. A characteristic neutral loss of 34 Da (hydrogen peroxide, H(2)O(2)) in the on-line MS/MS spectra is a clear indication for the existence of an organic peroxide, containing a hydroperoxy functional group.

Determination of antidepressants in human postmortem blood, brain tissue, and hair using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method in positive ion chemical ionization mode in combination with a solid phase extraction was optimized for new-generation antidepressants and their metabolites in postmortem blood, brain tissue, and hair. Twelve antidepressants and their active metabolites (i.e., mirtazapine, viloxazine, venlafaxine, citalopram, mianserin, reboxetine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, maprotiline, melitracen, paroxetine, desmethylfluoxetine, desmethylmianserin, desmethylmirtazapine, desmethylsertraline, desmethylmaprotiline, desmethylcitalopram, and didesmethylcitalopram) could be quantified. In this article, in addition to the validation of the GC-MS method, four postmortem cases are discussed to demonstrate the usefulness of the described method in forensic toxicology. In these cases, sertraline, fluoxetine, citalopram, and trazodone in combination with their active metabolites were quantified. Blood concentrations ranged from subtherapeutic to toxic concentrations, while brain to plasma ratios ranged from 0.8 to 17. Hair concentrations ranged from 0.4 to 2.5 ng/mg depending on the compound and hair segment.

Claisen rearrangement induced by low‐energy collision of ESI‐generated, protonated benzyloxy indoles

The Claisen rearrangement is a well-known process occurring in condensed phase. In the gas-phase protonated allyl phenyl ethers, propargyl phenyl ethers, and N-allyl aniline produced by positive ion chemical ionization undergo Claisen rearrangement. This reaction has been observed even in the case of odd-electron molecular ions. Phenyl allenyl ether molecular ions actually undergo Claisen rearrangement, producing intense [M - CO](+*) ions. In this investigation, the behavior of protonated benzyloxy indole and some of its derivatives, obtained in electrospray conditions, is described. Low-energy MS/MS experiments carried out on [M + H](+) species show CO loss and an unexpected water loss: both can be justified only by the occurrence of Claisen rearrangement. Deuterium labeling experiments confirm this mechanism. The influence of different substituents in the indole moiety is discussed.

GC–MS assay for hepatic DDAH activity in diabetic and non-diabetic rats by measuring dimethylamine (DMA) formed from asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA): Evaluation of the importance of S-nitrosothiols as inhibitors of DDAH activity in vitro and in vivo in humans

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, is hydrolyzed to dimethylamine (DMA) and l-citrulline by the enzyme dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH). In the present article we report on a GC–MS assay for DDAH activity in rat liver homogenate in phosphate buffered saline. The method is based on the quantitative determination of ADMA-derived DMA by GC–MS as the pentafluorobenzamide derivative. Quantification was performed by selected-ion monitoring of the protonated molecules at m/ z 240 for DMA and m/ z 246 for the internal standard (CD 3) 2NH in the positive-ion chemical ionization mode. The assay was applied to determine the enzyme kinetics in rat liver, the hepatic DDAH activity in streptozotocin-induced (50 mg/kg) diabetes in rats, and to evaluate the importance of S-nitrosothiols as DDAH inhibitors. The K M and V max values were determined to be 60 μM ADMA and 12.5 pmol DMA/min mg liver corresponding to 166 pmol DMA/min mg protein. Typical DDAH activity values measured in rat liver homogenate were 8.7 pmol DMA/min mg liver at added ADMA concentration of 100 μM. DDAH activity was found to be 1.7-fold elevated in diabetic as compared to non-diabetic rats ( P = 0.01). The SH-specific agents HgCl 2, S-nitrosocysteine ethyl ester (SNACET), a synthetic lipophilic S-nitrosothiol, S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), S-nitrosocysteine (CysNO) and S-nitrosohomocysteine (HcysNO) were found to inhibit DDAH activity in rat liver homogenate. The IC 50 values for HcysNO, SNACET, CysNO and GSNO were estimated to be 300, 500, 700 and 1000 μM, respectively. Oral administration of 15N-labelled SNACET to two healthy volunteers (1 μmol/kg) resulted in elevated urinary excretion of 15N-labelled nitrite and nitrate, but did not reduce creatinine-corrected excretion of DMA in the urine. Our results suggest that inhibition of DDAH activity on the basis of reversible nitros(yl)ation or irreversible N-thiosulfoximidation of the sulfhydryl group of the cysteine moiety involved in the catalytic process is most likely not a rationale design of DDAH inhibitors. A major advantage of the present GC–MS assay over other assays is that DDAH activity is assessed by measuring the formation of the specific enzymatic product DMA but not the formation of unlabelled or (radio)labelled l-citrulline or the decay of the substrate ADMA. The GC–MS assay reported here should be suitable to probe for DDAH activity in various disease models.

Analysis of ketamine and norketamine in urine by automatic solid-phase extraction (SPE) and positive ion chemical ionization–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (PCI–GC–MS)

Ketamine (KT) is widely abused for hallucination and also misused as a “date-rape” drug in recent years. An analytical method using positive ion chemical ionization–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (PCI–GC–MS) with an automatic solid-phase extraction (SPE) apparatus was studied for the determination of KT and its major metabolite, norketamine (NK), in urine. Six ketamine suspected urine samples were provided by the police. For the research of KT metabolism, KT was administered to SD rats by i.p. at a single dose of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg, respectively, and urine samples were collected 24, 48 and 72 h after administration. For the detection of KT and NK, urine samples were extracted on an automatic SPE apparatus (RapidTrace, Zymark) with mixed mode type cartridge, Drug-Clean™ (200 mg, Alltech). The identification of KT and NK was by PCI–GC–MS. m/ z 238 (M + 1), 220 for KT, m/ z 224 (M + 1), 207 for NK and m/ z 307 (M + 1) for Cocaine-D 3 as internal standard were extracted from the full-scan mass spectrum and the underlined ions were used for quantitation. Extracted calibration curves were linear from 50 to 1000 ng/mL for KT and NK with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.99. The limit of detection (LOD) was 25 ng/mL for KT and NK. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 50 ng/mL for KT and NK. The recoveries of KT and NK at three different concentrations (86, 430 and 860 ng/mL) were 53.1 to 79.7% and 45.7 to 83.0%, respectively. The intra- and inter-day run precisions (CV) for KT and NK were less than 15.0%, and the accuracies (bias) for KT and NK were also less than 15% at the three different concentration levels (86, 430 and 860 ng/mL). The analytical method was also applied to real six KT suspected urine specimens and KT administered rat urines, and the concentrations of KT and NK were determined. Dehydronorketamine (DHNK) was also confirmed in these urine samples, however the concentration of DHNK was not calculated. SPE is simple, and needs less organic solvent than liquid–liquid extraction (LLE), and PCI–GC–MS can offer both qualitative and quantitative information for urinalysis of KT in forensic analysis.

Accurate quantification of dimethylamine (DMA) in human plasma and serum by GC–MS and GC–tandem MS as pentafluorobenzamide derivative in the positive-ion chemical ionization mode

Dimethylamine (DMA) circulates in human blood and is excreted in the urine. Major precursor for endogenous DMA is asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. ADMA is hydrolyzed to DMA and l-citrulline by dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH). In previous work, we reported a GC–MS method for the quantification of DMA in human urine. This method involves simultaneous derivatization of endogenous DMA and the internal standard (CD 3) 2NH by pentafluorobenzoyl chloride (PFBoylCl) and extraction of the pentafluorobenzamide derivatives by toluene. In the present work, we optimized this derivatization/extraction procedure for the quantitative determination of DMA in human plasma. Optimized experimental parameters included vortex time and concentration of PFBoylCl, carbonate and internal standard. The GC–MS method was thoroughly validated and applied to measure DMA concentrations in human plasma and serum samples. GC–MS quantification was performed by selected-ion monitoring of the protonated molecules at m/ z 240 for DMA and m/ z 246 for (CD 3) 2NH in the positive-ion chemical ionization mode. Circulating DMA concentration in healthy young women ( n = 18) was determined to be 1.43 ± 0.23 μM in serum, 1.73 ± 0.17 μM in lithium heparin plasma, and 9.84 ± 1.43 μM in EDTA plasma. DMA was identified as an abundant contaminant in EDTA vacutainer tubes (9.3 ± 1.9 nmol/monovette, n = 6). Serum and lithium heparin vacutainer tubes contained considerably smaller amounts of DMA (0.42 ± 0.01 and 0.95 ± 0.01 nmol/monovette, respectively, each n = 6). Serum is recommended as the most appropriate matrix for measuring DMA in human blood. The present GC–MS method should be useful for the determination of systemic and whole body DDAH activity by measuring circulating and excretory DMA in experimental and clinical studies.