Chemical ionization of carboxylic acids and esters in negative mode selected ion flow tube – Mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS)

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine Cynoglossum amabile: a review

Cynoglossum amabile, a member of the Boraginaceae family, is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine and ethnomedicine known as Daotihu. Despite several studies confirming the presence of bioactive pyrrolizidine alkaloids such as amabiline, ambelline, echinatine, europine, and others in C. amabile, there has been no comprehensive review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology thus far. This review was conducted by thoroughly examining the literature and analyzing network databases. It covers various aspects of C. amabile, including botanical characteristics, geographical distribution, traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, toxicology, and clinical applications. The results have shown that C. amabile has been traditionally used for medicinal, edible, and ornamental purposes in China for many centuries. The whole plant, root, and leaf of C. amabile are used by different ethnic groups, such as Lisu, Bai, Naxi, Yi, Jinuo, and Han, to treat malaria, hepatitis, dysentery, leucorrhea, tuberculosis cough, fracture, joint dislocation, trauma bleeding, and skin carbuncle abscess. A total of 47 chemical components, including alkaloids (pyrrolizidine alkaloids, PAs), sterols, organic acids, and saccharides, were isolated from C. amabile. Pharmacological studies show that the chemical extracts of C. amabile possess various biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-microbial, cardiovascular effects, ganglionic action, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition. However, it is important to note that C. amabile exhibits hepatotoxicity, with its toxicity being linked to its primary PAs components. Although preliminary studies suggest potential applications in the treatment of prostate diseases and alopecia, further research is needed to validate these clinical uses. Our review highlights the traditional uses, phytochemistry, biological activity, toxicity, and clinical applications of C. amabile. It emphasizes the essential guiding role of the indigenous medicinal knowledge system in developing new drugs. Previous studies have shown that the phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics of C. amabile are significantly related to its traditional medicinal practices. Cynoglossum amabile has excellent market potential and can be further analyzed in terms of phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology, which are critical for its clinical drug safety, quality evaluation, and resource development.

Study of the Chemical Ionization of Organophosphate Esters in Air Using Selected Ion Flow Tube-Mass Spectrometry for Direct Analysis

Organophosphate esters are an emerging environmental concern since they spread persistently across all environmental compartments (air, soil, water, etc.). Measurements of semivolatile organic compounds are important but not without challenges due to their physicochemical properties. Selected ion flow tube-mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) can be relevant for their analysis in air because it is a direct analytical method without separation that requires little preparation and no external calibration. SIFT-MS is based on the chemical reactivity of analytes with reactant ions. For volatile and semivolatile organic compound analysis in the gas phase, knowledge of ion-molecule reactions and kinetic parameters is essential for the utilization of this technology. In the present work, we focused on organophosphate esters, semivolatile compounds that are now ubiquitous in the environment. The ion-molecule reactions of eight precursor ions that are available in SIFT-MS (H₃O⁺, NO⁺, O₂^•+, OH^-, O^•-, O₂^•-, NO₂^-, and NO₃^-) with six organophosphate esters were investigated. The modeling of ion-molecule reaction pathways by calculations supported and complemented the experimental work. Organophosphate esters reacted with six of the eight precursor ions with characteristic reaction mechanisms, such as protonation with hydronium precursor ions and association with NO⁺ ions, while nucleophilic substitution occurred with OH^-, O^•-, and O₂^•-. No reaction was observed with NO₂^- and NO₃^- ions. This work shows that the direct analysis of semivolatile organic compounds is feasible using SIFT-MS with both positive and negative ionization modes.

Volatile fingerprint of food products with untargeted SIFT-MS data coupled with mixOmics methods for profile discrimination: Application case on cheese

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by food products are decisive for the perception of aroma and taste. The analysis of gaseous matrices is traditionally done by detection and quantification of few dozens of characteristic markers. Emerging direct injection mass spectrometry technologies offer rapid analysis based on a soft ionisation of VOCs without previous separation. The recent increase of selectivity offered by the use of several precursor ions coupled with untargeted analysis increases the potential power of these instruments. However, the analysis of complex gaseous matrix results in a large number of ion conflicts, making the quantification of markers difficult, and in a large volume of data. In this work, we present the exploitation of untargeted SIFT-MS volatile fingerprints of ewe PDO cheeses in a real farm model, using mixOmics methods allowing us to illustrate the typicality, the manufacturing processes reproducibility and the impact of the animals' diet on the final product.