Single-Use Poly(etheretherketone) Solid-Phase Microextraction–Transmission Mode Devices for Rapid Screening and Quantitation of Drugs of Abuse in Oral Fluid and Urine via Direct Analysis in Real-Time Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Characterization of cigarette smokeomics by in situ solid-phase microextraction and confined-space direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry

Characterization of chemical composition in cigarette smoke is essential for establishing smoke-related exposure estimates. Currently used methods require complex sample preparation with limited capability for obtaining accurate chemical information. We have developed an in situ solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method for online processing of smoke aerosols and directly coupling the SPME probes with confined-space direct analysis in real time (cDART) ion source for high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. In a confined space, the substances from SPME probes can be efficiently desorbed and ionized using the DART ion source, and the diffusion and evaporation of volatile species into the open air can be largely avoided. Using SPME-cDART-MS, mainstream smoke (MSS) and side-stream smoke (SSS) can be investigated and the whole analytical protocol can be accomplished in a few min. More than five hundred substances and several classes of compounds were detected and identified. The relative contents of 13 tobacco alkaloids were compared between MSS and SSS. Multivariate data analysis unveiled differences between different types of cigarette smoke and also discovered the characteristic ions. The method is reliable with good reproducibility and repeatability, and has the potential to be quantitative. This study provides a simple and high-efficiency method for smokeomics profiling of complex aerosol samples with in situ online extraction of volatile samples, and direct integration of extracted probes with a modified ambient ionization technique.

Coupling Miniaturized Stir Bar Sorptive Dispersive Microextraction to Needle-Based Electrospray Ionization Emitters for Mass Spectrometry: Determination of Tetrahydrocannabinol in Human Saliva as a Proof of Concept

Direct coupling of sample preparation with mass spectrometry (MS) can speed up analysis, enabling faster decision-making. In such combinations, where the analysis time is mainly defined by the extraction procedure, magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction emerges as a relevant technique because of its rapid workflow. The dispersion and retrieval of the magnetic sorbent are typically uncoupled stages, thus reducing the potential simplicity. Stir bar sorptive dispersive microextraction (SBSDME) is a novel technique that integrates both stages into a single device. Its miniaturization (mSBSDME) makes it more portable and compatible with low-availability samples. This article reports the direct combination of mSBSDME and MS using a needle-based electrospray ionization (NESI) emitter as the interface. This combination is applied to determine tetrahydrocannabinol in saliva samples, a relevant societal problem if the global consumption rates of cannabis are considered. The coupling requires only the transference of the magnet (containing the sorbent and the isolated analyte) from the mSBSDME to the hub of a hypodermic needle, where the online elution occurs. The application of 5 kV on the needle forms an electrospray on its tip, transferring the ionized analyte to the MS inlet. The excellent performance of mSBSDME-NESI-MS/MS relies on the sensitivity (limits of detection as low as 2.25 ng mL-1), the precision (relative standard deviation lower than 15%), and the accuracy (relative recoveries ranged from 87 to 127%) obtained. According to the results, the mSBSDME-NESI-MS/MS technique promises faster and more efficient chemical analysis in MS-based applications.

Carbon fiber-sampling combined flame ionization mass spectrometry for direct analysis of drugs in oral fluid

Drug-impaired driving poses a significant risk of collisions and other hazardous accidents, emphasizing the urgent need for simple and rapid roadside detection methods. Oral fluid, as an easily collectible and non-invasive test material, has gained widespread use in detecting drug-impaired driving. In this study, we have devised a method for direct sampling using a carbon fiber bundle combined with flame ionization mass spectrometry. The essence of this method lies in the synergy between the adsorption properties of carbon fiber and the plasma characteristics of the flame. Leveraging the strong adsorption capabilities of the carbon fiber bundle allows for the use of a minimal sample size (<100 μL) during sampling, presenting a distinct advantage in the roadside inspection and sampling process. Throughout the flame ionization process, proteins and salts within the oral fluid matrix adhere well to the carbon fiber bundle, while small molecule targets can be efficiently desorbed and react with charged species in the flame, leading to ionization. The results demonstrate the successful development of carbon fiber-sampling combined flame ionization mass spectrometry, capable of qualitative and quantitative analysis of drugs in oral fluid without the need for sample pre-treatment. Its quantitative capabilities are sufficient for real sample detection, providing an effective analytical method for the roadside detection of drugs in oral fluids.

Development of a rapid-fire drug screening method by probe electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry for human urine (RaDPi-U)

Drug screening tests are mandatory in the search for drugs in forensic biological samples, and immunological methods and mass spectrometry (e.g., gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) are commonly used for that purpose. However, these methods have some drawbacks, and developing new screening methods is required. In this study, we develop a rapid-fire drug screening method by probe electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (PESI-MS/MS), which is an ambient ionization mass spectrometry method, for human urine, named RaDPi-U. RaDPi-U is carried out in three steps: (1) mixing urine with internal standard (IS) solution and ethanol, followed by vortexing; (2) pipetting the mixture onto a sample plate for PESI; and (3) rapid-fire analysis by PESI-MS/MS. RaDPi-U targets 40 forensically important drugs, which include illegal drugs, hypnotics, and psychoactive substances. The analytical results were obtained within 3 min because of the above-mentioned simple workflow of RaDPi-U. The calibration curves of each analyte were constructed using the IS method, and they were quantitatively valid, resulting in good linearity (0.972-0.999) with a satisfactory lower limit of detection and lower limit of quantitation (0.01-7.1 ng/mL and 0.02-21 ng/mL, respectively). Further, both trueness and precisions were 28% or less, demonstrating the high reliability and repeatability of the method. Finally, we applied RaDPi-U to three postmortem urine specimens and successfully detected different drugs in each urine sample. The practicality of the method is proven, and RaDPi-U will be a strong tool as a rapid-fire drug screening method not only in forensic toxicology but also in clinical toxicology.

Developing and Evaluating the Greenness of a Reliable, All-in-One Thin-Film Microextraction Protocol for Determining Fentanyl, Methadone, and Zolpidem in Plasma, Urine, and Oral Fluid

This paper proposes an all-in-one microextraction-based protocol capable of determining and quantifying fentanyl, methadone, and zolpidem in plasma, urine, and saliva at concentrations below those required by international regulatory organizations. A homemade thin-film microextraction device featuring an octyl-cyanopropyl stationary phase was coupled with LC-MS/MS. The proposed method was developed and validated according to FDA criteria, providing extraction efficiency values ranging from 26.7% to 76.2% with no significant matrix effects (2.6% to 15.5% signal suppression). The developed protocol provided low limits of quantification (mostly equal to 1 ng mL-1) and good reproducibility (intra- and inter-day RSDs of less than 9.6% and 12.0%, respectively) and accuracy (89% to 104% of the test concentration). An assessment of the protocol's environmental impact indicated that attention must be devoted to eliminating the use of toxic reagents and developing its capability for in situ sampling and in-field analysis using portable instruments. The proposed TFME-based protocol provides clinical laboratories with a versatile, one-step tool that enables the simultaneous monitoring of fentanyl, methadone, and zolpidem using the most popular biological matrices.

Swab-in-Capillary Electrospray Ionization and a Miniature Mass Spectrometer for In Situ Drug Analysis

In situ analysis of drugs has been in increasing demand in many fields. As an updated version of capillary-in-capillary electrospray ionization (CC-ESI) developed previously, a disposable swab-in-capillary electrospray ionization (SC-ESI) source was designed in this study. With a micro medical swab for sampling and an integrated filter membrane for online filtration, SC-ESI was able to directly sample and MS analyze complex samples without the need for pretreatment. Coupled with a miniature mass spectrometer, SC-ESI was applied for direct analysis of effective ingredients in therapeutic drugs (in tablet, capsule, and liquid droplet) and drugs in saliva and quantitation of therapeutic drugs in blood. The limits of detection in absolute amounts were obtained as 1 ng for fentanyl and 0.5 ng for cocaine in saliva. Combining with an internal standard method, SC-ESI acquired linear quantitation ranges of 100-5000 ng/mL for imatinib in whole blood and 100-2000 ng/mL for clozapine in serum with high accuracies and precisions. The entire analysis process, from sampling to data acquisition, can be completed in less than 2 min. As demonstrated as a cheap, portable, and sampling-effective ionization source, SC-ESI has shown great potential for in situ drug analysis, especially in border drug screening and clinical therapeutic drug monitoring.

Rapid Screening and Quantification of PFAS Enabled by SPME-DART-MS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), an emerging class of toxic anthropogenic chemicals persistent in the environment, are currently regulated at the low part-per-trillion level worldwide in drinking water. Quantification and screening of these compounds currently rely primarily on liquid chromatography hyphenated to mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The growing need for quicker and more robust analysis in routine monitoring has been, in many ways, spearheaded by the advent of direct ambient mass spectrometry (AMS) technologies. Direct analysis in real time (DART), a plasma-based ambient ionization technique that permits rapid automated analysis, effectively ionizes a broad range of compounds, including PFAS. This work evaluates the performance of DART-MS for the screening and quantification of PFAS of different chemical classes, employing a central composite design (CCD) to better understand the interactions of DART parameters on their ionization. Furthermore, in-source fragmentation of the model PFAS was investigated based on the DART parameters evaluated. Preconcentration of PFAS from water samples was achieved by solid phase microextraction (SPME), and extracts were analyzed using the optimized DART-MS conditions, which allowed obtaining linear dynamic ranges (LDRs) within 10 and 5000 ng/L and LOQs of 10, 25, and 50 ng/L for all analytes. Instrumental analysis was achieved in less than 20 s per sample.

Coupling of Solid-Phase Microextraction Directly to Mass Spectrometry via an Improved Microfluidic Open Interface to Facilitate High-Throughput Determinations

Mass spectrometry analysis can be performed by introducing samples directly to mass spectrometry, allowing the increase of the analysis throughput; however, some disadvantages of direct-to-mass spectrometry analysis include susceptibility to matrix effects and risk of instrument contamination from inadequate sample preparation. Solid-phase microextraction is one of the most suitable sample preparation methods for direct-to-mass spectrometry analysis, as it offers matrix-compatible coatings which ensure analyte enrichment with minimal or no interference from matrix. One of the ways solid-phase microextraction can be coupled directly to mass spectrometry is via a microfluidic open interface. This manuscript reports improvements made to the initial microfluidic open interface design, where the system components have been simplified to mostly commercially available materials. In addition, the analysis of samples has been automated by implementing software that fully controls the analysis workflow, where the washing procedure is optimized to completely reduce the carryover. Herein, the extraction and desorption time profiles from thin and thick SPME devices was studied where the overall workflow consisted of high-throughput sample preparation of 1.3 min per 96 samples and <1 min per sample instrumental analysis.

Direct Coupling of SPME to Mass Spectrometry

Solid-phase microextraction devices are normally analyzed by gas or liquid chromatography. Their use has become increasingly widespread since their introduction in 1990, and nowadays most analytical laboratories use or have used SPME as an efficient and green method to perform analyte extraction and sample clean-up in one step. The SPME technique is intrinsically flexible, and allows for a high degree of optimization with regard to the extracting phase, as well as the way sample is analyzed. Since its introduction, researchers have been trying different ways to transfer analytes extracted from the solid phase to a mass spectrometer, with the aim to increase throughput and reduce solvent, gas usage and costs associated with conventional chromatographic techniques. Furthermore, but not less important, for pure fun of developing new, more efficient and sensitive analytical strategies! This chapter aims at providing a comprehensive overview of the most relevant non-chromatographic mass spectrometric approaches developed for SPME. Technical aspects of each SPME-MS approach will be discussed, highlighting their advantages, disadvantages and future potential developments. Particular emphasis will be given on the most recent direct coupling approaches using novel ionization approaches, and a concise overview of the existing applications will also be provided.

Non-invasive Sampling of Human Body Fluids Using In Vivo SPME

Noninvasive body fluids offer attractive sources to gain insights into human health. The in vivo solid-phase microextraction (SPME) technique is a fast and versatile sample preparation technique for the noninvasive sampling of human body fluids in various fields. This chapter summarizes the applications of SPME coupled with mass spectrometry (MS)-based approaches for noninvasive investigations of human body fluids, including urine, sweat, and saliva. New features of noninvasive SPME sampling and MS-based analysis are highlighted, and the prospects on their further development are also discussed.

Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry: Application and Prospective

Mass spectrometry (MS) is a formidable analytical tool for the analysis of non-polar to polar compounds individually and/or from mixtures, providing information on the molecular weights and chemical structures of the analytes. During the last more than one-decade, ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS) has developed quickly, producing a wide range of platforms and proving scientific improvements in a variety of domains, from biological imaging to quick quality control. These methods have made it possible to detect target analytes in real time without sample preparation in an open environment, and they can be connected to any MS system with an atmospheric pressure interface. They also have the ability to analyze explosives, illicit drugs, disease diagnostics, drugs in biological samples, adulterants in food and agricultural products, reaction progress, and environmental monitoring. The development of novel ambient ionization techniques, such as probe electrospray ionization, paper spray ionization, and fiber spray ionization, employed even at picolitre to femtolitre solution levels to provide femtogram to attogram levels of the target analytes. The special characteristic of this ambient ion source, which has been extensively used, is the noninvasive property of PESI of examination of biological real samples. The results in the current review supports the idea that AIMS has emerged as a pioneer in MS-based approaches and that methods will continue to be developed along with improvements to existing ones in the near future.

Corona discharge ionization ion mobility spectrometry for ultra-trace determination of methamphetamine extracted from urine and plasma samples by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction

In this work, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) based on high-density extraction solvent was applied as a simple, fast and sensitive method for extraction and preconcentration of methamphetamine from human plasma and urine samples. The efficiency of positive corona discharge ionization ion mobility spectrometry was investigated for direct analysis of the extracted analyte. Effective parameters on the extraction efficiency, such as type and volume of the extraction and disperser solvents, centrifugation time, and sample solution pH were optimized. Trichloromethane and isopropanol were selected as the extracting and disperser solvents, respectively. Under the optimized conditions, the linear dynamic range (R² = 0.9969) was found to be 0.5-18 µg/L, and 0.15 µg/L was calculated as the limit of detection. The relative standard deviations of intra- and inter-day were obtained 4 and 10%, respectively, and finally, in the analysis of human plasma and urine samples, the extraction recovery was obtained 104%.

A Small Footprint and Robust Interface for Solid Phase Microextraction and Mass Spectrometry Based on Vibrating Sharp-Edge Spray Ionization

Combining solid phase microextraction (SPME) and mass spectrometry (MS) analysis has become increasingly important to many bioanalytical, environmental, and forensic applications due to its simplicity, rapid analysis, and capability of reducing matrix effects for complex samples. To further promote the adoption of SPME-MS based analysis and expand its application scope calls for efficient and convenient interfaces that couple the SPME sample handling with the efficient analyte ionization for MS. Here, we report a novel interface that integrates both the desorption and the ionization steps in one device based on the capillary vibrating sharp-edge spray ionization (cVSSI) method. We demonstrated that the cVSSI is capable of nebulizing liquid samples in a pulled-tip glass capillary with a battery powered function generator. The cVSSI device allows the insertion of a SPME probe into the spray capillary for desorption and then direct nebulization of the desorption solvent in situ. With the integrated interface, we have demonstrated rapid MS analysis of drug compounds from serum samples. Quantitative determination of various drug compounds including metoprolol, pindolol, acebutolol, oxprenolol, capecitabine, and irinotecan was achieved with good linearity (R2 = 0.97-0.99) and limit of detection ranging from 0.25 to 0.59 ng/mL without using a high voltage source. Only 3.5 μL of desorption solvent and 3 min desorption time were needed for the present method. Overall, we demonstrated a portable SPME-MS interface featuring high sensitivity, short analysis time, small footprint, and low cost, which makes it an attractive method for many applications requiring sample cleanup including drug compound monitoring, environmental sample analysis, and forensic sample analysis.

Thin film molecularly imprinted polymer (TF-MIP), a selective and single-use extraction device for high-throughput analysis of biological samples

Enhancing selectivity, reducing matrix effects and increasing analytical throughput have been the main objectives in the development of biological sample preparation techniques. A thin film molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) is employed for extraction and analysis of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) as a model class of compounds in human plasma for the first time to reach the abovementioned goals. The thin film MIPs prepared on a metal substrate can be used directly for extraction from biological matrices with no sample manipulation steps and no pre-conditioning. This method was validated with good linearity (R² > 0.99 in 1.0-500.0 ng mL^-1 range), excellent accuracy (90% -110%) and precision (RSD % value less than 15%) in pooled human plasma samples (N = 3). The limits of quantitation (LOQ) for TCAs in plasma samples were between 1.0-5.0 ng mL^-1 which are lower than the therapeutic ranges of these drugs. Kinetic and isotherm studies showed the superior performance of MIP sorbent compared to a non-imprinted polymer (NIP) sorbent in extracting TCAs from a bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution. The optimized and validated method for pooled human plasma was utilized for monitoring the concentration of TCAs in three patient samples who had been prescribed TCAs. These selective single-use thin film extraction devices are promising for efficient and fast procedures for analyzing biological samples.

Solid-phase microextraction of methadone by using a chitosan nanocomposite incorporated with Polyoxomolibdate nanocluster/Graphene oxide

In the present study, we report on the simple sol-gel preparation of a nanocomposite composed of chitosan/ polyoxometalate /graphene oxide, and its application in the headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with the ion mobility spectrometry for the analysis of methadone in biological matrices. The developed nanocomposite was characterized through the infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analyses. The ternary nanocomposite coating offers good mechanical and thermal stability and high extraction efficiency thanks to its large specific surface. A central composite statistical design was used to study the main variables affecting the extraction efficiency. Afterward, to study the relationship between different input and output variables as well as to identify the optimal operating conditions, response surface methodology was used, whereby a second-order polynomial equation was fit to the experimental data. The optimized extraction conditions were as follows: temperature, 70°C; extraction time, 15 min; and concentration of NaCl, 5%w/v. The detection limit of 0.12 ng/mL was obtained at the optimized extraction conditions, and the calibration plot was linear in the concentration range of 0.30-200 ng/mL. With relatively low limit of detection and good precisions, the proposed method has the potential for the extraction and determination of methadone in biological samples.

Sample preparation and instrumental methods for illicit drugs in environmental and biological samples: A review

Detection of illicit drugs in the environmental samples has been challenged as the consumption increases globally. Current review examines the recent developments and applications of sample preparation techniques for illicit drugs in solid, liquid, and gas samples. For solid samples, traditional sample preparation methods such as liquid-phase extraction, solid-phase extraction, and the ones with external energy including microwave-assisted, ultrasonic-assisted, and pressurized liquid extraction were commonly used. The sample preparation methods mainly applied for liquid samples were microextraction techniques including solid-phase microextraction, microextraction by packed sorbent, dispersive solid-phase extraction, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction, hollow fiber-based liquid-phase microextraction, and so on. Capillary microextraction of volatiles and airborne particulate sampling were primarily utilized to extract illicit drugs from gas samples. Besides, the paper introduced recently developed instrumental techniques applied to detect illicit drugs. Liquid chromatograph mass spectrometry and gas chromatograph mass spectrometry were the most widely used methods for illicit drugs samples. In addition, the development of ambient mass spectrometry techniques, such as desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and paper spray mass spectrometry, created potential for rapid in-situ analysis.

Nonaqueous Miscible Liquid-Liquid Electroextraction for Fast Exhaustive Enrichment of Ultratrace Analytes by an Exponential Transfer and Deceleration Mechanism

Conventional electrical-field-assisted sample preparation (EFASP) methods rely on analyte transfer between immiscible phases and require at least one aqueous phase in contact with the electrode. In this paper, we report a novel nonaqueous miscible liquid-liquid electroextraction (NMLEE) technique that enables fast exhaustive enrichment of ultratrace analytes from a milliliter-level donor in a vial to a microliter-level acceptor in a tube. Miscible nonaqueous solvents are used for the donor and acceptor to overcome common EFASP problems such as high charge or mass transfer resistance, loss of analytes in the membrane phase, water electrolysis, back-extraction, bubble generation, and difficulties in the application of high voltage for fast migration. According to theoretical derivation and experimental verification results, the concentrations of analytes in the donor and their migration velocity in the acceptor both decrease exponentially with time, and the extraction recovery correlates linearly with the current variation. These mechanisms result in efficient enrichment by forming an analyte-enriched zone and allow the extraction progress and recovery to be monitored and estimated based on the current variation. NMLEE was coupled with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze 10 amphetamine-type drugs, atropine, nortriptyline, and methadone in blood and urine samples. This method provided low limits of detection (0.003-0.1 ng·mL^-1), satisfactory extraction recoveries (89.6-104.1%), and RSDs (<12.3% for intraday and <8.8% for interday), which met the requirements of the ICH guidelines. This study may contribute to the further development of EFASP methods for effective ultratrace analyses in forensic science.

Direct Coupling of Bio-SPME to Liquid Electron Ionization-MS/MS via a Modified Microfluidic Open Interface

We present a modified microfluidic open interface (MOI) for the direct coupling of Bio-SPME to a liquid electron ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LEI-MS/MS) system as a sensitive technique that can directly analyze biological samples without the need for sample cleanup or chromatographic separations as well as without measurable matrix effects (ME). We selected fentanyl as test compound. The method uses a C18 Bio-SPME fiber by direct immersion (DI) in urine and plasma and the subsequent quick desorption (1 min) in a flow-isolated volume (2.5 μL) filled with an internal standard-acetonitrile solution. The sample is then transferred to an EI source of a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer via a LEI interface at a nanoscale flow rate. The desorption and analysis procedure requires less than 10 min. Up to 150 samples can be analyzed without observing a performance decline, with fentanyl quantitation at microgram-per-liter levels. The method workflow is extremely dependable, relatively fast, sustainable, and leads to reproducible results that enable the high-throughput screening of various biological samples.

Application of microextraction techniques in alternative biological matrices with focus on forensic toxicology: a review

The interest in alternative biological matrices (e.g., hair and saliva) for forensic toxicology analysis has increased, and recent developments in sample preparation have targeted rapid, cheap, efficient and eco-friendly methods, including microextraction techniques. For this review, we have gathered information about these two hot topics. We discuss the composition, incorporation of analytes and advantages and disadvantages of different biological matrices, and also present the operation principles of the most reported microextraction procedures and their application in forensic toxicology. The outcome of this review may encourage future forensic researches into alternative samples and microextraction techniques.

Direct analysis of surface chemicals using vibrating sharp-edge spray ionization mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Direct analysis of chemicals on a surface using mass spectrometry (MS) is of great importance in forensics, food and drug safety, environmental monitoring, and defense. Solvent extraction-based surface analysis offers a convenient way of controlling the desorption conditions and applying internal standards. To date, it mainly relies on a separate electrospray process to nebulize and ionize the solvents. Here, we report a simple and stand-alone ionization system for the solvent extraction-based surface analysis without the need for high voltage, based on vibrating sharp-edge spray ionization (VSSI).

METHODS

We modified the original VSSI device and developed a stand-alone, integrated surface sampling, and ionization system for MS analysis. By incorporating a micropipette-based solvent dispenser with the VSSI device, the new system performs solvent extraction and ionization, and still maintains a small footprint.

RESULTS

We demonstrated a four order-of-magnitude linear response for glucose spotted on a glass surface with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.1 pg/mm² . We further characterized the performance of this method with a series of compounds and demonstrated a similar LOD to literature values obtained by desorption electrospray ionization. Finally, we applied this method to quantitatively measure the concentration of a pesticide ametryn on spinach surfaces. We demonstrated good linearity (R² = 0.99) for ametryn with surface densities in the range of 8-800 pg/mm² and an LOD of 9 pg/mm² .

CONCLUSIONS

We have demonstrated a simple, effective, direct ambient-ionization method that is highly sensitive to molecules on a wide range of surfaces. The flexibility, small footprint, low cost, and voltage-free nature of this method make it an attractive technique for direct surface sample analysis using MS.

A highly sensitive quantification method for 12 plant toxins in human serum using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with a quick solid-phase extraction technique

We developed a highly sensitive quantification method using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) for 12 plant toxins in human serum. In this paper, we selected lycorine, galanthamine, protoveratrine A, protoveratrine B, veratramine, veratridine, jervine, cyclopamine, cevadine, α-solanine, α-chaconine, and solanidine as targeted analytes. The ADME column was utilized for LC separation and a Monolithic SPE column (MonoSpin® C18) for analyte extraction. The total time for SPE clean-up and LC/MS/MS analysis was completed within 30 min. The method validation results were as follows: the linearity (r²) of each calibration curve was over 0.99; the inter- and intra-day accuracies were 92.7 %-116 % and 91.6 %-106 %, respectively; and the inter- and intra-day precisions were below 14 % and 11 %, respectively. Also, the lower limits of detection and quantification were 0.0071-0.15 and 0.022-0.46 ng/mL, respectively, indicating the method's high sensitivity. Finally, to confirm its feasibility, our method was applied to two model samples: (1) commercially available human serum and (2) pseudo poisoning serum via dilution of mouse serum with human serum. We were able to quantify α-chaconine at 0.84 ± 0.02 ng/mL in the serum (Case 1) and protoveratrine A at 0.15 ± 0.032 ng/mL in the pseudo poisoning serum (Case 2), demonstrating our method's practicality. This is the first time that the 12 plant toxins in human serum were simultaneously quantitated. Our method can investigate accidental poisonings involving toxic plants, enabling prompt decisions on patient treatment.

Direct analysis in real time-mass spectrometry for rapid quantification of five anti-arrhythmic drugs in human serum: application to therapeutic drug monitoring

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is necessary for the optimal administration of anti-arrhythmic drugs in the treatment of heart arrhythmia. The present study aimed to develop and validate a direct analysis in real time tandem mass spectrometry (DART–MS/MS) method for the rapid and simultaneous determination of five anti-arrhythmic drugs (metoprolol, diltiazem, amiodarone, propafenone, and verapamil) and one metabolite (5-hydroxy(OH)-propafenone) in human serum. After the addition of isotope-labeled internal standards and protein precipitation with acetonitrile, anti-arrhythmic drugs were ionized by DART in positive mode followed by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) detection. The use of DART–MS/MS avoided the need for chromatographic separation and allowed rapid and ultrahigh throughput analysis of anti-arrhythmic drugs in a total run time of 30 s per sample. The DART–MS/MS method yielded satisfactory linearity (R² ≥ 0.9906), accuracy (86.1–109.9%), and precision (≤ 14.3%) with minimal effect of biological matrixes. The method was successfully applied to analyzing 30 clinical TDM samples. The relative error (RE) of the concentrations obtained by DART–MS/MS and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was within ± 13%. This work highlights the potential usefulness of DART for the rapid quantitative analysis of anti-arrhythmic drugs in human serum and gives rapid feedback in the clinical TDM practices.

MASS SPECTROMETRY ANALYSIS OF DRUGS OF ABUSE: CHALLENGES AND EMERGING STRATEGIES

Mass spectrometry has been the "gold standard" for drugs of abuse (DoA) analysis for many decades because of the selectivity and sensitivity it affords. Recent progress in all aspects of mass spectrometry has seen significant developments in the field of DoA analysis. Mass spectrometry is particularly well suited to address the rapidly proliferating number of very high potency, novel psychoactive substances that are causing an alarming number of fatalities worldwide. This review surveys advancements in the areas of sample preparation, gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, as well as the rapidly emerging field of ambient ionization mass spectrometry. We have predominantly targeted literature progress over the past ten years and present our outlook for the future. © 2020 Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev.

Rapid and high-throughput screening of multi-residue pharmaceutical drugs in bovine tissue using solid phase microextraction and direct analysis in real time-tandem mass spectrometry (SPME-DART-MS/MS)

Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) has become a popular research area in food safety monitoring due to its unique characteristics that allow rapid and high-throughput screening of complex matrices with minimal sample preparation. The current research aimed to investigate the detection and quantitation capabilities of solid phase microextraction (SPME) and DART coupled to tandem mass spectrometry MS/MS for a large number of pharmaceutical drugs covering a wide range of physico-chemical properties (log P, -1.22-5.97) in complex animal-food matrices such as beef tissue. 53% of the 98 target analytes selected initially could be efficiently ionized by DART and quantified at or below the Canadian maximum residue limits (MRLs) and US regulatory tolerances in bovine muscle. Despite using only two internal standards for correction, promising results were obtained for these analytes, where 62% of the detected analytes achieved linear correlation coefficients >0.99 within the evaluated range of concentrations (0.25-3X, where X corresponds to the MRL for each target analyte). In addition, more than 92% of the detected analytes achieved average accuracies within the 70-120% range of their true concentrations and intraday repeatability RSDs ≤25% at the 0.5X, 1X, and 2X concentration levels. The fully automated sample preparation workflow allowed for total extraction and analysis times as short as 1 min time per sample. While DART has limited capabilities in terms of analyte coverage, this research highlights the potential usefulness of SPME-DART-MS/MS as a method for rapid analysis in food safety monitoring applications.

Hunting Molecules in Complex Matrices with SPME Arrows: A Review

Thirty years since the invention and public disclosure of solid phase microextraction (SPME), the technology continues evolving and inspiring several other green extraction technologies amenable for the collection of small molecules present in complex matrices. In this manuscript, we review the fundamental and operational aspects of a novel SPME geometry that can be used to “hunt” target molecules in complex matrices: the SPME Arrow. In addition, a series of applications in environmental, food, cannabis and forensic analysis are succinctly covered. Finally, special emphasis is placed on novel interfaces to analytical instrumentation, as well as recent developments in coating materials for the SPME Arrow.

Applications of Mass Spectrometry for Clinical Diagnostics: The Influence of Turnaround Time

This critical review discusses how the need for reduced clinical turnaround times has influenced chemical instrumentation. We focus on the development of modern mass spectrometry (MS) and its application in clinical diagnosis. With increased functionality that takes advantage of novel front-end modifications and computational capabilities, MS can now be used for non-traditional clinical analyses, including applications in clinical microbiology for bacteria differentiation and in surgical operation rooms. We summarize here recent developments in the field that have enabled such capabilities, which include miniaturization for point-of-care testing, direct complex mixture analysis via ambient ionization, chemical imaging and profiling, and systems integration.

Psychostimulant use disorder and the heart

Psychostimulants are a diverse range of substances that encompass cocaine and the phenylethylamines, the latter including the amphetamines, cathinones and some 'novel psychoactive substances'. This paper examines the range of pathophysiological processes, clinical presentations and treatment options involving the heart and cardiovascular system both in the acute setting and where long-term effects of psychostimulant use have affected the cardiovascular system. A common feature of these drugs is their effect on the cardiovascular system, where their major action is that of sympathomimetic amines with short- and long-term stimulation of the adrenergic system and consequent effects on blood pressure, cardiac modelling, atherogenesis and cellular calcium signalling. Cocaine additionally exhibits a variety of prothrombotic effects, effects on inflammatory mediators and alterations in myocardial gene expression. Persistent psychostimulant use results in progressive cardiovascular pathology, largely in the form of accelerated atherosclerosis, hypertension and myocardial ischaemia. Abstinence results in at least partial reversal of pathology. To a large extent, an assumption is made that treatment protocols used for cocaine-associated cardiovascular pathology apply to the amphetamines and other phenylethylamines, but there appears to be little research in this area, despite acknowledgement that cocaine and the better-known amphetamines have different modes of action.

Microsampling with cotton thread: Storage and ultra-sensitive analysis by thread spray mass Spectrometry

Storage and quantitative analysis of small volumes of biofluids are challenging, especially when low concentrations of analytes are to be detected in the presence of complex matrices. In this study, we describe an integrated thread-based approach for stabilizing small blood volumes in the dry-state at room temperature, while also offering direct analysis capabilities via thread spray mass spectrometry. The analytical merits of this novel microsampling platform was demonstrated via the direct analysis of diazepam and cocaine in dried blood samples stored for 42 days. In-situ in-capillary blood processing from hydrophobic threads enabled limits of detection as low as parts-per-quadrillion to be reached. We validated this ultra-sensitivity by analyzing small tissue-like residues collected after pushing a thread through the sample once. The implications of this sample collection, storage, and analysis platform can be extensive with direct applications in forensics and clinical studies.

Cocaine, ethanol, cannabis and benzodiazepines co-consumption among patients assisted at the emergency room

Introduction

Cocaine and ethanol (EtOH) co-consumption is a risk factor for physiologically and clinically negative outcomes. We describe the occurrence of cocaine consumption alone or co-consumption with EtOH and others psychotropics.

Patients and methods

The descriptive research used data on medical records of patients positive to cocaine test who attended an emergency room between 2016 and 2017. We determined the frequency of cocaine consumption alone and co-consumption with EtOH, cannabis or benzodiazepines (BZDs).

Results

Over one year period, 88 patients (13.3%) were positive to cocaine test, mainly attended on weekends, in holiday months, young adults or men. Among those positive for cocaine, 72% were also positive for EtOH, cannabis or BZD. Cocaine co-consumption with one or two out of three substance was 55.2% (CI95%; 44.7-65.8%) and 16.4% (CI95%;8.58-24.3%), respectively. Co-consumption was more frecuently wih EtOH, followed by cannabis or BZD. 

Conclusion

Co-consumption of cocaine with EtOH is very common and could be associated with acute or chronic consumption of cannabis or acute exposure to BZDs. It is important that emergency physicians use a systematic approach to diagnose and treat more than one psychotropic substance in cocaine positive patients.

High-throughput quantification of drugs of abuse in biofluids via 96-solid-phase microextraction-transmission mode and direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

The workload of clinical laboratories has been steadily increasing over the last few years. High-throughput (HT) sample processing allows scientists to spend more time undertaking matters of critical thinking rather than laborious sample processing. Herein we introduce a HT 96-solid-phase microextraction (SPME) transmission mode (TM) system coupled to direct analysis in real time (DART) mass spectrometry (MS).

METHODS

Model compounds (opioids) were extracted from urine and plasma samples using a 96-SPME-TM device. A standard voltage and pressure (SVP) DART source was used for all experiments. Examination of SPME-TM performance was done using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) in full scan mode (100-500 m/z), whereas quantitation of opioids was performed using triple quadrupole MS in multiple reaction monitoring mode and by using a matrix-matched internal standard correction method.

RESULTS

Thirteen points (0.5 to 200 ng mL^-1 ) were used to establish a calibration curve. Low limits of quantitation (LOQ) were obtained (0.5 to 25 ng mL^-1 ) for matrices used. Acceptable accuracy (71.4-129.4%) and repeatability (1.1-24%) were obtained for validation levels tested (0.5, 30 and 90 ng mL^-1 ). In less than 1.5 hours, 96 samples were extracted, desorbed and processed using the 96-SPME-TM system coupled to DART-MS.

CONCLUSIONS

A rapid HT method for detection of opioids in urine and plasma samples was developed. This study demonstrated that ambient ionization mass spectrometry coupled to robust sample preparation methods such as SPME-TM can rapidly and efficiently screen/quantify target analytes in a HT context.

High-Precision Quantitation of Biofluid Samples Using Direct Mass Spectrometry Analysis

The transition of mass spectrometry for clinical analysis is highly desirable, and major progress has been made with direct sampling ionization for operation simplification. High-precision quantitation, however, remains a major challenge in this transition. Herein, a novel method was developed for direct quantitation of biofluid samples, using an extremely simplified procedure for incorporation of internal standards selected against the traditional rules. Slug flow microextraction was used for the development, with conditions predicted by a theoretical model, viz., using internal standards of partition coefficients very different from the analytes and large sample-to-extraction solvent volume ratios. Direct quantitation of drug compounds in urine and blood samples was demonstrated. This development enabled an extremely simplified protocol that is expected to have a significant impact on on-site or clinical analysis.

A Polymer Coating Transfer Enrichment Method for Direct Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Lipids in Biofluid Samples

A porous polymer coating transfer enrichment method is developed for the direct mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of lipids. The enrichment is fast (ca. 1 min) and enables the profiling and quantitation of lipids in small-volume biofluid samples. Coupled with a photochemical Paternò-Büchi reaction, this method enables the fast determination of lipid structure at the C=C location level and point-of-care lipid biomarker analysis.

Fast screening of illicit drugs in beverages and biological fluids by direct coupling of thin film microextraction to dielectric barrier discharge ionization-mass spectrometry

A direct and fast method for quantification of illicit drugs in beverages and biological fluids was developed, using dielectric barrier discharge ionization in combination with high-resolution MS.