Comparison of atmospheric pressure photoionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization for normal-phase LC/MS chiral analysis of pharmaceuticals

Ionization behaviors of nitrotoluenes and dinitrotoluenes by reactions with acetone-related reactant ion

Dinitrotoluenes (DNTs) and nitrotoluenes (NTs) are found in the environment as metabolites of trinitrotoluene (TNT). When acetone is used as the solvent/eluent in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (APCI-MS), the reactant ion is [2Acetone + O2 ]•- for the negative ion mode. The reactant ion reacts with an analyte to produce M•- and/or [M - H]- under atmospheric pressure. In this study, ionization behaviors of NT (2-, 3-, and 4-NTs) and DNT isomers (2,3-, 2,4-, and 2,6-DNTs) by reactions with [2Acetone + O2 ]•- were investigated. The energy-minimized structures of the product ions and their energies were calculated to explain the differences in the ionization behaviors. Typical NT- and DNT-related ions were produced by reactions with [2Acetone + O2 ]•- ; NT•- , [NT - H]- , DNT•- , [DNT - H]- , and [DNT - NO]- ions. The ionization efficiencies of NT- and DNT-related ions increased by increasing the source fragmentor voltage, and those of DNT-related ions were higher than those of the NT-related ions owing to the presence of an additional nitro group. The ionization efficiency of 3-NT•- was higher than that of [NT - H]- , while that of [DNT - H]- was higher than those of DNT•- and [DNT - NO]- . The ionization efficiency order of NT•- was 3-NT > 4-NT > 2-NT, while that of [DNT - H]- was 2,4-DNT > 2,6-DNT > 2,3-DNT. The [NT - H]- and [DNT - H]- ions were stabilized by resonance structures containing nitro groups. The [DNT - NO]- ions were formed through the transition state.

"Lipidomics": Mass spectrometric and chemometric analyses of lipids

Lipids are ubiquitous in the human organism and play essential roles as components of cell membranes and hormones, for energy storage or as mediators of cell signaling pathways. As crucial mediators of the human metabolism, lipids are also involved in metabolic diseases, cardiovascular and renal diseases, cancer and/or hepatological and neurological disorders. With rapidly growing evidence supporting the impact of lipids on both the genesis and progression of these diseases as well as patient wellbeing, the characterization of the human lipidome has gained high interest and importance in life sciences and clinical diagnostics within the last 15 years. This is mostly due to technically advanced molecular identification and quantification methods, mainly based on mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry has become one of the most powerful tools for the identification of lipids. New lipidic mediators or biomarkers of diseases can be analysed by state-of-the art mass spectrometry techniques supported by sophisticated bioinformatics and biostatistics. The lipidomic approach has developed dramatically in the realm of life sciences and clinical diagnostics due to the available mass spectrometric methods and in particular due to the adaptation of biostatistical methods in recent years. Therefore, the current knowledge of lipid extraction methods, mass-spectrometric approaches, biostatistical data analysis, including workflows for the interpretation of lipidomic high-throughput data, are reviewed in this manuscript.

ESI outcompetes other ion sources in LC/MS trace analysis

Choosing an appropriate ion source is a crucial step in liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method development. In this paper, we compare four ion sources for LC/MS analysis of 40 pesticides in tomato and garlic matrices. We compare electrospray ionisation (ESI) source, thermally focused/heated electrospray (HESI), atmospheric pressure photoionisation (APPI) source with and without dopant, and multimode source in ESI mode, atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) mode, and combined mode using both ESI and APCI, i.e. altogether seven different ionisation modes. The lowest limits of detection (LoDs) were obtained by ESI and HESI. Widest linear ranges were observed with the conventional ESI source without heated nebuliser gas. In comparison to HESI, ESI source was significantly less affected by matrix effect. APPI ranked second (after ESI) by not being influenced by matrix effect; therefore, it would be a good alternative to ESI if low LoDs are not required. Graphical abstract.

Recent developments in atmospheric pressure photoionization-mass spectrometry

Recent developments in atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI), which is one of the three most important ionization techniques in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, are reviewed. The emphasis is on the practical aspects of APPI analysis, its combination with different separation techniques, novel instrumental developments - especially in gas chromatography and ambient mass spectrometry - and the applications that have appeared in 2009-2014. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 36:423-449, 2017.

Doubly charged trimeric cluster ions: effective in mutual chiral recognition of tadalafil and three proton pump inhibitors

Mutual chiral recognition of four stereoisomers of tadalafil and three pairs of enantiomers of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), as well as enantiomers excess analysis are achieved on the basis of the competitive fragmentation of doubly charged trimeric Ni^IIcluster ion.

Dopant-assisted direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry with argon gas

RATIONALE

Dopants used with Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization (APPI) were examined with the Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART^® ) ion source operated with argon gas. Charge-exchange and proton transfer reactions were observed by adding toluene, anisole, chlorobenzene and acetone to the DART gas stream, complementing the information obtained by helium DART.

METHODS

Mass spectra were acquired with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer equipped with a DART ion source operated with argon gas. A syringe pump was used to introduce dopants directly into the DART gas stream through deactivated fused-silica capillary tubing. Samples including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), diesel fuel, trinitrotoluene and cannabinoids were deposited onto the sealed end of melting tube, allowed to dry, and the tube was then suspended in the dopant-enhanced DART gas stream.

RESULTS

PAHs could be detected as molecular ions at concentrations in the low parts-per-billion range by using a solution of 0.5% anisole in toluene as a dopant. Argon DART analysis of a diesel fuel sample with the same dopant mixture showed a simpler mass spectrum than obtained by using helium DART. The argon DART mass spectrum was dominated by molecular ions for aromatic compounds, whereas the helium DART mass spectrum showed both molecular ions and protonated molecules. In contrast O₂^- attachment DART showed saturated hydrocarbons and oxygen-containing species. Mass spectra for trinitrotoluene with argon DART in negative-ion mode showed a prominent [M - H]^- peak, whereas conventional helium DART showed both M^- and [M - H]^- . Lastly, in analogy to a report in the literature using APPI, positive ions produced by argon DART ionization for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol showed distinctive product-ion mass spectra.

CONCLUSIONS

Dopant-assisted argon DART operates by a mechanism that is analogous to those proposed for dopant-assisted atmospheric-pressure photoionization. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Analytical tools for the analysis of β-carotene and its degradation products

β-Carotene, the precursor of vitamin A, possesses pronounced radical scavenging properties. This has centered the attention on β-carotene dietary supplementation in healthcare as well as in the therapy of degenerative disorders and several cancer types. However, two intervention trials with β-carotene have revealed adverse effects on two proband groups, that is, cigarette smokers and asbestos-exposed workers. Beside other causative reasons, the detrimental effects observed have been related to the oxidation products of β-carotene. Their generation originates in the polyene structure of β-carotene that is beneficial for radical scavenging, but is also prone to oxidation. Depending on the dominant degradation mechanism, bond cleavage might occur either randomly or at defined positions of the conjugated electron system, resulting in a diversity of cleavage products (CPs). Due to their instability and hydrophobicity, the handling of standards and real samples containing β-carotene and related CPs requires preventive measures during specimen preparation, analyte extraction, and final analysis, to avoid artificial degradation and to preserve the initial analyte portfolio. This review critically discusses different preparation strategies of standards and treatment solutions, and also addresses their protection from oxidation. Additionally, in vitro oxidation strategies for the generation of oxidative model compounds are surveyed. Extraction methods are discussed for volatile and non-volatile CPs individually. Gas chromatography (GC), (ultra)high performance liquid chromatography (U)HPLC, and capillary electrochromatography (CEC) are reviewed as analytical tools for final analyte analysis. For identity confirmation of analytes, mass spectrometry (MS) is indispensable, and the appropriate ionization principles are comprehensively discussed. The final sections cover analysis of real samples and aspects of quality assurance, namely matrix effects and method validation.

Online normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography/Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry: effects of different ionization methods on the characterization of highly complex crude oil mixtures

RATIONALE

Characterization of crude oil represents a challenge for researchers due to its complexity. While Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) is the method of choice for such complex matrices the high number of ions present limits the efficiency of the analysis due to charge competition and space charge effects. One way to solve this problem is the direct coupling of FT-ICR MS with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

METHODS

Normal-phase liquid chromatography was applied on a deasphalted crude oil sample by using a polar aminocyano-bonded stationary phase with n-hexane and isopropyl alcohol as a mobile phase. The HPLC system was coupled online to a 12 T ultrahigh-resolution FT-ICR mass spectrometer. Ion chromatograms were obtained with electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and atmospheric pressure laser ionization (APLI).

RESULTS

The chromatographic separation yielded a group separation into two peaks according to the polarity of the components. Each ionization technique was able to uniquely assign components differing in polarity and aromaticity. Additionally, an increase in aromaticity in the course of retention time for nonpolar species in the first peak was observed. Monitoring the ratio between protonated and radical mono-nitrogen species was achieved.

CONCLUSIONS

For the analysis of a crude oil sample, online coupling of a normal-phase HPLC system to an FT-ICR mass spectrometer was achieved. The results of the different ionization techniques were compared with each other, which enables a detailed characterization of the complex sample. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Enantioselectivity of mass spectrometry: challenges and promises

With the fast growing market of pure enantiomer drugs and bioactive molecules, new chiral-selective analytical tools have been instigated including the use of mass spectrometry (MS). Even though MS is one of the best analytical tools that has efficiently been used in several pharmaceutical and biological applications, traditionally MS is considered as a "chiral-blind" technique. This limitation is due to the MS inability to differentiate between two enantiomers of a chiral molecule based merely on their masses. Several approaches have been explored to assess the potential role of MS in chiral analysis. The first approach depends on the use of MS-hyphenated techniques utilizing fast and sensitive chiral separation tools such as liquid chromatography (LC), gas chromatography (GC), and capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled to MS detector. More recently, several alternative separation techniques have been evaluated such as supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC); the latter being a hybrid technique that combines the efficiency of CE with the selectivity of LC. The second approach is based on using the MS instrument solely for the chiral recognition. This method depends on the behavioral differences between enantiomers towards a foreign molecule and the ability of MS to monitor such differences. These behavioral differences can be divided into three types: (i) differences in the enantiomeric affinity for association with the chiral selector, (ii) differences of the enantiomeric exchange rate with a foreign reagent, and (iii) differences in the complex MS dissociation behaviors of the enantiomers. Most recently, ion mobility spectrometry was introduced to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate chiral compounds. This article provides an overview of MS role in chiral analysis by discussing MS based methodologies and presenting the challenges and promises associated with each approach.

Combined LC/MS-platform for analysis of all major stratum corneum lipids, and the profiling of skin substitutes

Ceramides (CERs), cholesterol, and free fatty acids (FFAs) are the main lipid classes in human stratum corneum (SC, outermost skin layer), but no studies report on the detailed analysis of these classes in a single platform. The primary aims of this study were to 1) develop an LC/MS method for (semi-)quantitative analysis of all main lipid classes present in human SC; and 2) use this method to study in detail the lipid profiles of human skin substitutes and compare them to human SC lipids. By applying two injections of 10μl, the developed method detects all major SC lipids using RPLC and negative ion mode APCI-MS for detection of FFAs, and NPLC using positive ion mode APCI-MS to analyze CERs and cholesterol. Validation showed this lipid platform to be robust, reproducible, sensitive, and fast. The method was successfully applied on ex vivo human SC, human SC obtained from tape strips and human skin substitutes (porcine SC and human skin equivalents). In conjunction with FFA profiles, clear differences in CER profiles were observed between these different SC sources. Human skin equivalents more closely mimic the lipid composition of human stratum corneum than porcine skin does, although noticeable differences are still present. These differences gave biologically relevant information on some of the enzymes that are probably involved in SC lipid processing. For future research, this provides an excellent method for (semi-)quantitative, 'high-throughput' profiling of SC lipids and can be used to advance the understanding of skin lipids and the biological processes involved.

Comparison of the sensitivity of mass spectrometry atmospheric pressure ionization techniques in the analysis of porphyrinoids

The porphyrinoids chemistry is greatly dependent on the data obtained in mass spectrometry. For this reason, it is essential to determine the range of applicability of mass spectrometry ionization methods. In this study, the sensitivity of three different atmospheric pressure ionization techniques, electrospray ionization, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and atmospheric pressure photoionization, was tested for several porphyrinods and their metallocomplexes. Electrospray ionization method was shown to be the best ionization technique because of its high sensitivity for derivatives of cyanocobalamin, free-base corroles and porphyrins. In the case of metallocorroles and metalloporphyrins, atmospheric pressure photoionization with dopant proved to be the most sensitive ionization method. It was also shown that for relatively acidic compounds, particularly for corroles, the negative ion mode provides better sensitivity than the positive ion mode. The results supply a lot of relevant information on the methodology of porphyrinoids analysis carried out by mass spectrometry. The information can be useful in designing future MS or liquid chromatography-MS experiments.

Mass spectrometry detection in comprehensive liquid chromatography: basic concepts, instrumental aspects, applications and trends

The review, as can be deduced from the title, focuses on both theoretical and practical aspects of the use of mass spectrometry as a third, added dimension to a comprehensive LC (LC × LC) system, generating the most powerful analytical tool today for non-volatile analytes. The first part deals with the technical requirements for linkage of an LC × LC system to an MS one, including the choice of the mobile phase (buffer and salts), flow rate (splitting), type of ionization (interface); advantages and disadvantages of off-line and on-line methods are discussed, as well. A discussion of the various aspects of instrumentation is provided, both from a chromatographic and mass spectrometry standpoint, with particular emphasis directed to the choice of column sets, spatial resolution, mass resolving power, mass accuracy, and tandem-MS capabilities. The extent to which mass spectrometry may be of aid in unraveling column-outlet multicompound bands is highlighted, along with its effectiveness as a chromatographic detector of excellent sensitivity, universality yet with potential in terms of selectivity and amenability to quantitative analysis over a wide dynamic range. The following section of the review contains significant applications of comprehensive two-dimensional LC coupled to MS in different areas of research, with details on interfaces, column stationary phases, modulation and MS parameters. It is not the intention of the authors to provide a comprehensive description of the techniques, but merely to discuss only those aspects which are essential for successful applications of the LC-MS combination. The reader will be acquainted with the enormous potential of this hyphenated technique, and the factors and instrumental developments that have concurred to make it emerge to a central role in specialized fields, such as proteomics.

A review of recent advances in mass spectrometric methods for gas-phase chiral analysis of pharmaceutical and biological compounds

Chirality has been of great interest in pharmaceutical and biological sciences. The capabilities of mass spectrometry (MS) for rapid analysis of complex mixtures have encouraged its exploration for gas-phase chiral differentiation. Although particular instances of successful discrimination between enantiomers have been reported over the past three decades, a general method of quantitative chiral analysis by MS has only been demonstrated recently. This review describes the current state of the chiral MS methods without chiral chromatographic separation, which fall into five main categories: (1) the kinetic method, (2) host-guest (H-G) diastereomeric adduct formation, (3) ion/molecule (equilibrium) reactions, (4) collision-induced dissociation (CID) of diastereomeric adducts, and (5) the emerging technique for gas-phase separation using ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). It emphasizes tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), which provides several unique analytical advantages for quantitative chiral analysis. These include intrinsically high sensitivity, molecular specificity, and tolerance to impurities as well as the simplicity and speed of the mass spectrometric measurements. Practical prospects and current challenges in quantitative chiral MS techniques for QbD (quality-by-design)-based pharmaceutical applications are also discussed.

Detection and monitoring of PAH and oxy-PAHs by high resolution mass spectrometry: comparison of ESI, APCI and APPI source detection

The objective of this work was to compare direct infusion in a Q-TOF mass spectrometer through three different atmospheric pressure sources, electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) coupled to a high resolution Q-TOF mass spectrometer. A complex mixture of PAH and oxy-PAHs, obtained after the air oxidation of fluoranthene on mineral substrates, was used to compare the different ionization abilities of these sources. Here, we propose analytical methods for the use of all sources. Final goal was to provide background to the choice of the most appropriate source in order to analyze complex organic mixtures as those encountered in polluted soils, water, sediments, as well as in petroleum.

Stability indicating HPLC method for simultaneous determination of mephenesin and diclofenac diethylamine

A simple, specific, accurate and stability-indicating reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous determination of mephenesin and diclofenac diethylamine, using a Spheri-5-RP-18 column and a mobile phase composed of methanol: water (70:30, v/v), pH 3.0 adjusted with o-phosphoric acid. The retention times of mephenesin and diclofenac diethylamine were found to be 3.9 min and 14.5 min, respectively. Linearity was established for mephenesin and diclofenac diethylamine in the range of 50-300 μg/ml and 10-60 μg/ml, respectively. The percentage recoveries of mephenesin and diclofenac diethylamine were found to be in the range of 99.06-100.60% and 98.95-99.98%, respectively. Both the drugs were subjected to acid, alkali and neutral hydrolysis, oxidation, dry heat, photolytic and UV degradation. The degradation studies indicated, mephenesin to be susceptible to neutral hydrolysis, while diclofenac diethylamine showed degradation in acid, H₂O₂, photolytic and in presence of UV radiation. The degradation products of diclofenac diethylamine in acidic and photolytic conditions were well resolved from the pure drug with significant differences in their retention time values. This method can be successfully employed for simultaneous quantitative analysis of mephenesin and diclofenac diethylamine in bulk drugs and formulations.

Chiral micellar electrokinetic chromatography-atmospheric pressure photoionization of benzoin derivatives using mixed molecular micelles

In the present work we report, for the first time, the successful on-line coupling of chiral MEKC (CMEKC) to atmospheric pressure photoionization MS (APPI-MS). Four structurally similar neutral test solutes (e.g. benzoin (BNZ) derivatives) were successfully ionized by APPI-MS. The mass spectra in the positive ion mode showed that the protonated molecular ions of BNZs are not the most abundant fragment ions. Simultaneous enantioseparation by CMEKC and on-line APPI-MS detection of four photoinitiators, hydrobenzoin, BNZ, benzoin methyl ether, benzoin ethyl ether, were achieved using an optimized molar ratio of mixed molecular micelle of two polymeric chiral surfactants (polysodium N-undecenoxy carbonyl-L-leucinate and polysodium N-undecenoyl-L,L-leucylvalinate). The CMEKC conditions, such as voltage, chiral polymeric surfactant concentration, buffer pH, and BGE concentration, were optimized using a multivariate central composite design (CCD). The sheath liquid composition (involving %v/v methanol, dopant concentration, electrolyte additive concentration, and flow rate) and spray chamber parameters (drying gas flow rate, drying gas temperature, and vaporizer temperature) were also optimized with CCD. Models built based on the CCD results and response surface method were used to analyze the interactions between factors and their effects on the responses. The final overall optimum conditions for CMEKC-APPI-MS were also predicted and found in agreement with the experimentally optimized parameters.

Comparison of APPI, APCI and ESI for the LC-MS/MS analysis of bezafibrate, cyclophosphamide, enalapril, methotrexate and orlistat in municipal wastewater

The applicability of three different ionization techniques: atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) was tested for the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of five target pharmaceuticals (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, bezafibrate, enalapril and orlistat) in wastewater samples. Performance was compared both by flow injection analysis (FIA) and on-column analysis in deionized water and wastewater samples. A column switching technique for the on-line extraction and analysis of water samples was used. For both FIA and on-column analysis, signal intensity and signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of the target analytes in the three sources were studied. Limits of detection and matrix effects during the analysis of wastewater samples were also investigated. ESI generated significantly larger peak areas and higher S/N ratios than APCI and APPI in FIA and in on-column analysis. ESI was proved to be the most suitable ionization method as it enabled the detection of the five target compounds, whereas APCI and APPI ionized only four compounds.

Atmospheric pressure-electron capture dissociation of peptides using a modified PhotoSpray ion source

An improved in-source atmospheric pressure-electron capture dissociation (AP-ECD) method is described. Building upon the early example of Laprévote's group, photoelectrons generated within a commercial PhotoSpray atmospheric pressure photoionization source are used to induce ECD of multiply charged peptide ions originating from an upstream heated nebulizer device. To attain high sensitivity, the method makes use of a novel electropneumatic-heated nebulizer to assist in the creation and transmission of multiply charged ions from sample solutions. Here, we demonstrate that readily interpretable AP-ECD spectra of infused peptides can be acquired from 100 fmol sample consumed, on a chromatographic time scale, using a conventional quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-ToF) mass spectrometer otherwise incapable of ECD/ETD experiments. Though much work remains to be done to develop and characterize the method, the results indicate that AP-ECD has the potential to be a practical new tool for the mass spectrometric analysis of peptides and proteins.

Matrix effect elimination during LC–MS/MS bioanalytical method development

Due to the presence of endogenous components in biofluids, ionization suppression or enhancement may occur for bioanalytical assays using LC–MS or LC–MS/MS technologies. The matrix effect may affect the precision and accuracy of a bioanalytical method and, therefore, compromise the quality of the results. Protein precipitation sample preparation along with LC–MS/MS is a high-throughput method most commonly used in bioanalysis and is largely affected by the matrix effect. In order to eliminate the matrix effect during the method development, some considerations may be used: cleaner sample preparations, more sensitive instruments, which allow less material to be injected, different chromatographic separations and much more must be investigated. More than giving tools to adequately assess the matrix effect during the method development, this review gives scientists numerous ways to eliminate or reduce the matrix effect based on novel sample-preparation techniques, new chromatographic optimization methods and new technologies.

Absolute quantitation of intracellular metabolite concentrations by an isotope ratio-based approach

This protocol provides a method for quantitating the intracellular concentrations of endogenous metabolites in cultured cells. The cells are grown in stable isotope-labeled media to near-complete isotopic enrichment and then extracted in organic solvent containing unlabeled internal standards in known concentrations. The ratio of endogenous metabolite to internal standard in the extract is determined using mass spectrometry (MS). The product of this ratio and the unlabeled standard amount equals the amount of endogenous metabolite present in the cells. The cellular concentration of the metabolite can then be calculated on the basis of intracellular volume of the extracted cells. The protocol is exemplified using Escherichia coli and primary human fibroblasts fed uniformly with (13)C-labeled carbon sources, with detection of (13)C-assimilation by liquid chromatography-tandem MS. It enables absolute quantitation of several dozen metabolites over approximately 1 week of work.

Evaluation of ionization techniques for mass spectrometric detection of contact allergenic hydroperoxides formed by autoxidation of fragrance terpenes

Hydroperoxides formed by autoxidation of common fragrance terpenes are strong allergens and known to cause allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), a common skin disease caused by low molecular weight chemicals. Until now, no suitable methods for chemical analyses of monoterpene hydroperoxides have been available. Their thermolability prohibits the use of gas chromatography and their low UV-absorption properties do not promote sensitive analytical methods by liquid chromatography based on UV detection. In our study, we have investigated different liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) ionization techniques, electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI), for detection of hydroperoxides from linalool and limonene.Flow injection analysis was used to evaluate the three different techniques to ionize the monoterpene hydroperoxides, linalool hydroperoxide and limonene hydroperoxide, by estimating the signal efficacy under experimental conditions for positive and negative ionization modes. The intensities for the species [M+H]+ and [M+H-H2O]+ in positive ionization mode and [M-H]- and [M-H-H2O]- in negative ionization mode were monitored. It was demonstrated that the mobile phase composition and instrumental parameters have major influences on the ionization efficiency of these compounds. ESI and APCI were both found to be appropriate as ionization techniques for detection of the two hydroperoxides. However, APPI was less suitable as ionization technique for the investigated hydroperoxides.

Liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure photoionization-mass spectrometry analysis of triacylglycerol lipids--effects of mobile phases on sensitivity

In this work, we evaluate the performance of liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure photoionization-mass spectrometry (LC-APPI-MS) for non-aqueous reversed phase analysis of six triacylglycerol model compounds using six binary mobile phases including MeOH/iPrOH, MeOH/CHCl(3), MeOH/CH(2)Cl(2), CH(3)CN/iPrOH, CH(3)CN/CHCl(3), and CH(3)CN/CH(2)Cl(2). All mobile phases give comparably good separation performance on a Gemini C(18) column with carefully adjusted gradient elution programs. APPI sensitivity varies from one mobile phase to the other without dopants; however use of dopants brings sensitivity to comparable levels for all mobile phases. MeOH/iPrOH offers high sensitivity without dopants due to self-doping effect and dopants are not necessary for this mobile phase. Dopants enhance analyte sensitivity to a varying degree for each of the mobile phases tested. Photo-induced chemical ionization (PCI) of solvent may play a significant role in achieving high sensitivity. Two critical parameters affecting sensitivity are photoabsorption cross-sections and ionization potentials of mobile phase solvents. How these mobile phase solvents affect APPI sensitivity and their dependency on dopant use are discussed. All six mobile phases offer comparable overall limits of detection for the analytes tested. These results indicate that LC-APPI-MS is a successful tool for neutral lipid analysis, giving high sensitivity with a variety of non-aqueous mobile phases.

Enantioselective quantification of omeprazole and its main metabolites in human serum by chiral HPLC–atmospheric pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometry

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor drug in widespread use for the reduction of gastric acid production. It is also proposed as a test substance for the phenotyping of cytochrome CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 enzyme activities. For this purpose, it is necessary to quantify, additionally to omeprazole, the two main metabolites 5-hydroxyomeprazole and omeprazole-sulfon in human plasma. Since omeprazole is a racemic mixture of two enantiomers and its enzymatic decomposition depends in part on its chiral configuration, full information about its metabolic breakdown can only be gained by enantioselective quantification of the drug and its metabolites. We introduce a new LC-MS/MS method that is capable to simultaneously quantify omeprazole and its two main metabolites enantioselectively in human serum. The method features solid-phase extraction, normal phase chiral HPLC separation and atmospheric pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometry. As internal standards serve stable isotope labeled omeprazole and 5-hydroxyomeprazole. The calibration functions are linear in the range of 5-750 ng/ml for the omeprazole enantiomers and omeprazole-sulfon, and 2.5-375 ng/ml for the 5-hydroxyomeprazole enantiomers, respectively. Intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations are <7% for omeprazole and 5-hydroxyomeprazole enantiomers, and <9% for omeprazole-sulfon, respectively.

A new membrane inlet interface of a vacuum ultraviolet lamp ionization miniature mass spectrometer for on-line rapid measurement of volatile organic compounds in air

A novel membrane inlet interface coupled to a single-photon ionization (SPI) miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer has been developed for on-line rapid measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light source for SPI was a commercial krypton discharge lamp with photon energy of 10.6 eV and photon flux of 10(10) photons/s. The experimental results showed that the sensitivity was 5 times as high as obtained with the traditional membrane inlet. The enrichment efficiency could be adjusted in the range of 10 to 20 times for different VOCs when a buffer cell was added to the inlet interface, and the memory effect was effectively eliminated. A detection limit as low as 25 parts-per-billion by volume (ppbv) for benzene has been achieved, with a linear dynamic range of three orders of magnitude. The rise times were 6 s, 10 s and 15 s for benzene, toluene and p-xylene, respectively, and the fall time was only 6 s for all of these compounds. The analytical capacity of this system was demonstrated by the on-line analysis of VOCs in single puff mainstream cigarette smoke, in which more than 50 compounds were detected in 2 s.