A method for simultaneous determination of five anticoagulant rodenticides in whole blood by high-performance liquid chromatography

Determination of amitraz and its metabolites in whole blood using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A method was developed for determination of amitraz and its metabolites, N-[2,4-(dimethylphenyl)-N'-methylformamidine (DMPF), 2,4-dimethylformamidine (DMF), 2,4-dimethylaniline (DMA) in whole blood. The analytes were extracted by solid-phase extraction (SPE) using dichloromethane, acetonitrile and methanol (2:1:1) mixture as elute solution. Analysis was performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) technique. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) of amitraz at the electrospray source in MS/MS was observed in the analytic conditions. The method was validated in human whole blood spiked at three concentration levels. The low limit of detection (LOD) and the low limit of quantification (LOQ) for all the analytes were below 0.5μg/L and 2μg/L, respectively. Recoveries were between 90.2% and 104.5%, Bias and relative standard deviation (RSD) were below 15% (n=6). The good linear relationships were obtained in certain concentration ranges of amitraz and its metabolites. The results demonstrated the method is exclusive, sensitive and accurate, and can be applied in forensic toxicology.

Analysis of anticoagulant rodenticide residues in Microtus arvalis tissues by liquid chromatography with diode array, fluorescence and mass spectrometry detection

We describe here a fast and selective analytical method to determine the levels of four anticoagulant rodenticides (chlorophacinone, bromadiolone, brodifacoum and difenacoum) in animal tissues by liquid chromatography (LC) using different detection methods: fluorescence (FLD), diode array (DAD) and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Rodenticides were extracted from freeze-dried and homogenized tissue samples (liver, intestine and muscle) that had been obtained from the common vole (Microtus arvalis). These samples were diluted in 5 mL of methanol, the solution was shaken and centrifuged, and the supernatant was removed and evaporated to dryness. The residue was reconstituted in 1 mL of methanol (liver samples) or 1 mL of the mobile phase (muscle and intestine samples), and injected onto an LC-DAD-FLD-MS system coupled to electrospray ionization (ESI) in negative mode. After conducting an LC optimization study, we selected a Gemini 5 μm C18 column, a mobile phase composed of a mixture of 30 mM ammonium formate in water and methanol (26:74, v/v), and we used an isocratic elution mode. The method was fully validated and shown to be selective, precise, accurate, and linear in the range from ~5μg/kg (ESI-MS) or ~50 μg/kg (DAD-FLD) to 10,000 μg/kg, depending on the compound analyzed. Recoveries ranged from 82% to 103%, while the limits of detection and quantification ranged from 9-89 μg/kg (FLD-DAD) and 0.6-4.6 μg/kg (ESI-MS). This method was successfully used to simultaneously measure the aforementioned compounds in M. arvalis tissues.

Determination of bromadiolone and brodifacoum in human hair by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and its application to poisoning cases

RATIONALE

Bromadiolone and brodifacoum, two common anticoagulant rodenticides, are involved in the majority of anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning cases in humans in China. Hair analysis can provide long-term information on drug exposure. A method using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) was developed and validated for the measurement of bromadiolone and brodifacoum in human hair.

METHODS

A 1 mL aliquot of a phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.8) was added to 20 mg of pulverized hair followed by ultrasonication and liquid-liquid extraction. Liquid chromatography was performed using a C(18) column with a mobile phase gradient of ammonium acetate (10 mM) and methanol. A tandem mass spectrometer in multiple reaction monitoring mode with a negative electrospray ionization source was employed for detection. Warfarin-d(5) was used as an internal standard for both analytes.

RESULTS

The limits of detection (LODs) for bromadiolone and brodifacoum were 0.010 and 0.025 ng/mg, respectively. The calibration curves for both analytes were linear from 0.025 to 1 ng/mg. The accuracy ranged from 90.3 to 109.3%, and the intra-day and inter-day imprecisions were less than 15%.

CONCLUSIONS

The established method was found effective when applied to the analyses of bromadiolone or brodifacoum in five cases, indicating that segmental hair analysis could be useful for clinical and forensic purposes by identifying the time of ingestion.

High exposure rates of anticoagulant rodenticides in predatory bird species in intensively managed landscapes in Denmark

The extensive use of anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) for rodent control has led to widespread secondary exposure in nontarget predatory wildlife species. We investigated exposure rates and concentrations of five ARs in liver samples from five raptors and six owls from Denmark. A total of 430 birds were analysed. ARs were detected in 84-100 % of individual birds within each species. Multiple AR exposure was detected in 73 % of all birds. Average number of substances detected in individual birds was 2.2 with no differences between owls and raptors. Difenacoum, bromadiolone, and brodifacoum were the most prevalent substances and occurred in the highest concentrations. Second-generation ARs made up 96 % of the summed AR burden. Among the six core species (sample size >30), summed AR concentrations were lower in rough-legged buzzard (Buteo lagopus) and long-eared owl (Asio otus) than in barn owl (Tyto alba), buzzard (B. buteo), kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), and tawny owl (Strix aluco). There was a strong tendency for seasonal variations in the summed AR concentration with levels being lowest during autumn, which is probably related to an influx of less-exposed migrating birds from northern Scandinavia during autumn. High hepatic AR residue concentrations (>100 ng/g wet weight), which have been associated with symptoms of rodenticide poisoning and increased mortality, were recorded high frequencies (12.9-37.4 %) in five of the six core species. The results suggest that the present use of ARs in Denmark, at least locally, may have adverse effects on reproduction and, ultimately, population status in some raptors and owls.

Determination of bromadiolone and brodifacoum in human blood using LC-ESI/MS/MS and its application in four superwarfarin poisoning cases

Superwarfarin poisoning is a growing health problem. A sensitive and reproducible LC-ESI/MS/MS (liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry) method was developed and validated for the determination of bromadiolone and brodifacoum, the most commonly used superwarfarins, in human blood using warfarin-D5 as an internal standard. Bromadiolone and brodifacoum were extracted from whole blood samples by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. Multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) was used to detect bromadiolone and brodifacoum using precursor→product ion combinations of m/z 525→250 and 521→135, respectively. The calibration curves were linear (r(2)=0.9999) in the concentration range of 0.5-100.0 ng/mL for bromadiolone and brodifacoum, with a lower limit of detection of 0.1 and 0.2 ng/mL, respectively, in whole blood. This method detected trace levels of bromadiolone and brodifacoum in whole blood samples and can be used in the diagnosis of poisoned human beings.

Concentrations of anticoagulant rodenticides in stoats Mustela erminea and weasels Mustela nivalis from Denmark

Anticoagulant rodenticides are widely used to control rodent populations but they also pose a risk of secondary poisoning in non-target predators. Studies on anticoagulant rodenticide exposure of non-target species have mainly reported on frequency of occurrence. They have rarely analyzed variations in residue concentrations. We examine the occurrence and concentrations of five anticoagulant rodenticides in liver tissue from 61 stoats (Mustela erminea) and 69 weasels (Mustela nivalis) from Denmark. Anticoagulant rodenticides were detected in 97% of stoats and 95% of weasels. 79% of the animals had detectable levels of more than one substance. Difenacoum had the highest prevalence (82% in stoats and 88% in weasels) but bromadiolone was detected in the highest concentrations in both stoat (1.290 μg/g ww) and weasel (1.610 μg/g ww). Anticoagulant rodenticide concentrations were highest during autumn and winter and varied with sampling method. Anticoagulant rodenticide concentrations were higher in stoats and weasels with unknown cause of death than in specimens killed by physical trauma. There was a negative correlation between anticoagulant rodenticide concentrations and body condition. Our results suggest that chemical rodent control in Denmark results in an extensive exposure of non-target species and may adversely affect the fitness of some stoats and weasels.

An enhancement of europium-/gadolinium- diphacinone -DL-histidine- cetylpyridine bromide system for the determination of diphacinone in serum

As one of the first generation anticoagulant rodenticide, diphacinone (DPN) was extensively used in China, and often occurred accidental and intentional intoxications. To meet the needs of clinical emergency rescue, a simple, rapid and sensitive method was necessary for the determination of DPN in serum. In this paper, a fluorimetric method using a ternary europium-gadolinium-DPN-DL-histidine-cetylpyridine bromide system was developed. The fluorescence intensity was measured with a 1 cm quartz cell at 335 nm excitation wavelength and 612 nm emission wavelength. The fluorescence intensity of the europium-DPN- DL- histidine complex system was further enhanced by using gadolinium ion (Gd(3+)) in a cetylpyridine bromide (CPB) colloid-type suspension. By adding Gd(3+) at pH 8.5 to 9.5 in the presence of an ammonia-ammonium chloride buffer solution, about a 100-fold enhancement of the fluorescence intensity was achieved. The enhanced fluorescence intensity showed a good linear relationship with the DPN concentration from 0.01 mg/L to 5.0 mg/L. The limit of detection was 0.001 mg/L in serum. The established method was used to determine DPN in real human serum in clinical specimens. The luminescence mechanism was discussed in detail. In the fluorescence system of the europium-gadolinium-DPN-DL-histidine-CPB, the CPB not only acted as the surfactant but also acted as the energy donor.

Ion chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for simultaneous confirmation and determination of indandione rodenticides in serum

This paper describes a simple method for the simultaneous determination and confirmation of the indandione rodenticides in serum. After samples were extracted with 10% (v/v) methanol in acetonitrile and cleaned by solid-phase extraction, chromatographic separation was performed on an IonPac AS11 analytical column (250 x 4.0 mm) using gradient KOH eluent with 10% (v/v) methanol as organic modifier. Confirmation was depended on the extensive fragmentation of the indandione molecule under MS/MS conditions which provides sufficient structural information. Quantification was performed by negative electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode. All the method parameters were validated. It was confirmed that this method could be used in clinical diagnosis and forensic toxicology.

Determination of bromadiolone in whole blood by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid, sensitive and selective high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric method (HPLC/MS-MS) has been developed and validated for the determination of bromadiolone in whole blood using warfarin as an internal standard (IS). Bromadiolone was extracted from the whole blood samples by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. Multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) was used to detect bromadiolone and IS, using precursor --> product ion combinations at m/z 527 --> 465 and 307 --> 161, respectively. The calibration curve was linear (r2=0.998) in the concentration range of 0.5-100.0 ng/mL with a lower limit of quantification of 0.5 ng/mL in whole blood. Intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations (R.S.D.s) were less than 7.5 and 11.9%, respectively. Recoveries of bromadiolone ranged from 82.1 to 85.2%. This method is found to be determined trace bromadiolone in whole blood and can be used in the diagnosis of the poisoned human beings.

Determination of five 4-hydroxycoumarin rodenticides in animal liver tissues by ion chromatography with fluorescence detection

A novel analytical method is proposed for rapid simultaneous determination of five 4-hydroxycoumarin rodenticides in animal liver tissues by eluent generator reagent free ion chromatography (RFIC) with fluorescence detection. Rodenticides were initially extracted from homogenized animal liver tissues with ethyl acetate and the extracts subjected to a solid-phase extraction process using Oasis HLB cartridges. The IC separation was carried out on an IonPac AS11 analytical column (250 mm x 4.0 mm) using gradient KOH containing 10% acetonitrile as organic modifier at a constant flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The analytes were detected by fluorescence at an excitation wavelength of 270 nm and an emission wavelength of 380 nm. The average recoveries of the objective compounds spiked in animal liver tissues were between 81% and 98%. The limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.004-0.010 mg/kg for them. Within-day and day-to-day relative standard deviations (RSD) were less than 8.5% and 9.7%, respectively. It was confirmed that this method could be used in a toxicological analysis.

Multiresidue analysis of seven anticoagulant rodenticides by high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray/mass spectrometry

Mice and rat populations are commonly controlled by two classes of rodenticide anticoagulants, coumarins and indandiones. However, poisoning of nontarget animals also often occurs. For cases such as these, a rapid, multiresidue method, which provides positive confirmation for both classes of anticoagulant rodenticides, is needed by diagnostic laboratories. A method was developed for the determination of seven anticoagulant rodenticides, coumafuryl, pindone, warfarin, diphacinone, chlorophacinone, bromadiolone, and brodifacoum, in diverse matrices, animal feed, cooked beef, and fruit-flavored beverages using high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray/mass spectrometry. Detection was by MS/MS with electrospray ionization in negative mode. Confirmation was by retention time, m/z of molecular ion, and two parent-daughter transitions. Recoveries from selected the matrices ranged from 61 to 117%. Limits of quantitation were as low as 1.5-4.5 ng g-1. The developed method was rapid and provided the simultaneous confirmation and quantification of the seven anticoagulant rodenticides.

High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of flocoumafen and brodifacoum in whole blood

A high-performance liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric (HPLC-MS-MS) assay was developed and validated to determine quantitatively flocoumafen and brodifacoum in whole blood using warfarin as an internal standard (IS). Liquid-liquid extraction, using ethyl acetate, was used to isolate flocoumafen, brodifacoum and the IS from the biological matrix. Detection was performed on a mass spectrometer by negative electrospray ionization (ESI) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The calibration curves were linear (r(2) > 0.998) in the concentration range of 0.1-100.0 ng ml(-1) with a lower limit of quantification of 0.05 ng ml(-1) for flocoumafen, and 0.1 ng ml(-1) for brodifacoum in whole blood. Intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations (RSDs) were less than 8.0% and 10.8%, respectively. Recoveries of flocoumafen and brodifacoum ranged from 78.0% to 83.7%. This assay can be used to determine trace flocoumafen and brodifacoum in whole blood to investigate suspected poisoning of human and animals.

Rapid determination of three anticoagulant rodenticides in whole blood by liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A rapid, sensitive and selective method for the simultaneous determination of bromadiolone, flocoumafen and brodifacoum in whole blood using warfarin as internal standard (IS) by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS) has been developed and validated. The target compounds were extracted from the whole blood with ethyl acetate and separated on an XDB C18 column (150 mm x 2.1 mm i.d. x 5 microm) by using a mobile phase consisting of 0.2% acetic acid/methanol (12/88, v/v) at a constant flow rate of 0.50 mL/min. The analytes were detected using negative ESI-MS in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The molecular ions [M-H]- of m/z 527, 541,523 and 307 were selected for the quantification for bromadiolone, flocoumafen, brodifacoum and the IS, respectively. The calibration curves were linear (r2 > 0.995) in the concentration range of 0.50-100.00 ng/mL. The method showed a satisfactory sensitivity (0.05-0.5 ng/mL using 200 microL blood), precision (RSD < 11.9%), accuracy (recovery: 82.0-96.1%) and selectivity. This method was successfully applied to the determination of the analytes for the diagnoses of poisoned human beings and animals.

Fluorescence spectroscopic study of serum albumin–bromadiolone interaction: fluorimetric determination of bromadiolone

Bromadiolone (BRD), a substituted 4-hydroxycoumarin derivative, is known to possess anti-coagulant activity with acute toxicity. In this paper, we report a study on the interaction of bromadiolone with the plasma proteins bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA), using the intrinsic fluorescence emission properties of bromadiolone. Bromadiolone is weakly fluorescent in aqueous buffer medium, with an emission at 397 nm. Binding of bromadiolone with serum albumins (SA) leads to a marked enhancement in the fluorescence emission intensity and steady state fluorescence anisotropy (r(ss)), accompanied by a blueshift of 10 nm. In the serum albumin-bromadiolone complex, selective excitation of tryptophan (Trp) residue results in emission from bromadiolone, thereby indicating a Förster type energy transfer from Trp to BRD. This quenching of Trp fluorescence by BRD was used to estimate the binding constant of the SA-BRD complex. The binding constants for BRD with BSA and HSA were 7.5 x 10(4) and 3.7 x 10(5)L mol(-1), respectively. Based on this, a new method involving SA as fluorescence-enhancing reagent for estimation of BRD in aqueous samples has been suggested. The detection limits of bromadiolone under the optimum conditions were 0.77 and 0.19 microg mL(-1) in presence of BSA and HSA, respectively.