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Grasselli G, Arigò A, Palma P, Famiglini G, Cappiello A. Latest Developments in Direct and Non-Direct LC-MS Methods Based on Liquid Electron Ionization (LEI). Crit Rev Anal Chem 2024:1-18. [PMID: 39046707 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2024.2381543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry (MS) enables precise identification and quantification of molecules, particularly when combined with chromatography. The advent of atmospheric pressure ionization (API) techniques allowed the efficient coupling of liquid chromatography with MS (LC-MS), extending analyses to nonvolatile and thermolabile compounds. API techniques present limitations such as low informative capacity and reproducibility of mass spectra, increasing instrument complexity and costs. Other challenges include analyzing poorly polar molecules and matrix effects (ME), which negatively impact quantitative analyses, necessitating extensive sample purification or using expensive labeled standards. These limitations prompted the exploration of alternative solutions, leading to the development of the Liquid Electron Ionization (LEI) interface. The system has demonstrated excellent robustness and reproducibility. LEI has been employed to analyze various compounds, including pesticides, drugs of abuse, phenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, and many others. Its versatility has been validated with single quadrupole, triple quadrupole, and QToF detectors, operating in electron ionization (EI) or chemical ionization (CI) modes and with both reverse phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) and normal phase liquid chromatography (NPLC). LEI has also been successfully integrated with the Microfluidic Open Interface (MOI), Membrane Introduction Mass Spectrometry (MIMS), and Microfluidic Water-Assisted Trap Focusing (M-WATF), broadening its application scope and consistently demonstrating promising results in terms of sensitivity and identification power. The most recent advancement is the development of Extractive-Liquid Sampling Electron Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (E-LEI-MS), a surface sampling and real-time analysis technique based on the LEI concept. This review article offers a comprehensive and up-to-date picture of the potential of LEI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genny Grasselli
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Adriana Arigò
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Pierangela Palma
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Giorgio Famiglini
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Achille Cappiello
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
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Elkabets O, Neumark B, Amirav A. Sample Injection for Real-Time Analysis (SIRTA) Using GC-MS with Cold EI. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2024; 35:378-385. [PMID: 38234102 PMCID: PMC10853959 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
There is a continual demand for advanced methods and instruments for real-time analysis (RTA). Most of the current RTA techniques based on MS involve ambient desorption ionization technology. However, flow injection of liquid extracted samples is another option without added modifications or cost to existing LC-MS instruments. In this work, we introduce a new RTA approach named sample injection for real-time analysis (SIRTA) using GC-MS with Cold EI. In SIRTA, the standard GC column is replaced with a 1 m long 0.1 mm I.D. fused silica capillary that connects the GC injector to the MS transfer-line of Cold EI. Thus, SIRTA with Cold EI imposes no need for any additional instrumentation; hence, it is characterized by zero added cost. Like in flow injection in MS of LC-MS, the sample is dissolved in ∼1 mL methanol or another solvent. Subsequently, the vial is placed in the GC-MS autosampler while using a standard syringe for injection without any GC separation. The analysis takes merely 0.2-0.7 min, ensuring rapid and consecutive analyses. Unlike standard EI, Cold EI enables SIRTA by taking advantage of its fly through open ion source to avoid overwhelming the ion source during the elution of solvents while still providing enhanced molecular ions for nearly all analytes. In this study, we demonstrated SIRTA Cold EI analysis of 12 compounds and 7 mixtures, including various prescription and illicit drugs, cannabis and petroleum samples, and other synthetic organic compounds including those with molecular weight up to 800 g/mol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oneg Elkabets
- School
of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Benny Neumark
- School
of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Aviv Amirav
- School
of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Aviv
Analytical Ltd, 24 Hanagar
Street, Hod Hasharon 4527713, Israel
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Vargas Medina DA, Maciel EVS, Pereira Dos Santos NG, Lancas FM. The overshadowed role of electron ionization-mass spectrometry in analytical biotechnology. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 82:102965. [PMID: 37393696 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Target and untargeted analysis of several compounds are crucial methods in important areas such as omics sciences. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is widely used for volatile and thermally stable compounds. In this case, the electron ionization technique (EI) is preferable as it produces highly fragmented and reproducible spectra comparable to spectral libraries. However, only a fraction of target compounds is analyzable by GC without chemical derivatization. Therefore, liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with MS is the most used technique. Contrary to EI, electrospray ionization does not produce reproducible spectra. That is why researchers have been working on interfaces between LC and EI-MS to bridge the gap between those techniques. This short review will discuss advancements, applications, and perspectives on biotechnological analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deyber Arley Vargas Medina
- Laboratory of Chromatography, Institute of Chemistry at Sao Carlos, University of Sao Paulo, P.O Box 780, 13566590 Sao Carlos, Brazil; Clemens Schöpf Institute, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Edvaldo Vasconcelos Soares Maciel
- Laboratory of Chromatography, Institute of Chemistry at Sao Carlos, University of Sao Paulo, P.O Box 780, 13566590 Sao Carlos, Brazil; Clemens Schöpf Institute, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Natalia Gabrielly Pereira Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Chromatography, Institute of Chemistry at Sao Carlos, University of Sao Paulo, P.O Box 780, 13566590 Sao Carlos, Brazil; Clemens Schöpf Institute, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Fernando Mauro Lancas
- Laboratory of Chromatography, Institute of Chemistry at Sao Carlos, University of Sao Paulo, P.O Box 780, 13566590 Sao Carlos, Brazil.
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Pereira Dos Santos NG, Maciel EVS, Vargas Medina DA, Lanças FM. NanoLC-EI-MS: Perspectives in Biochemical Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11746. [PMID: 37511506 PMCID: PMC10380556 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Although LC-MS with atmospheric pressure ionization (API) sources is the primary technique used in modern bioanalytical studies, electron ionization mass spectrometry (EI-MS) can provide some substantial advantages over it. EI-MS is a matrix effect-free technique that provides reproducible and comparable mass spectra, serving as a compound fingerprint for easy identification through automated comparison with spectral libraries. Leveraging EI-MS in biochemical studies can yield critical analytical benefits for targeted and untargeted analyses. However, to fully utilize EI-MS for heavy and non-volatile molecules, a new technology that enables the coupling of liquid chromatography with EI-MS is needed. Recent advancements in nanoLC have addressed the compatibility issues between LC and EI-MS, and innovative interfacing strategies such as Direct-EI, liquid electron ionization (LEI), and Cold-EI have extended the application of EI-MS beyond the determination of volatile organic molecules. This review provides an overview of the latest developments in nanoLC-EI-MS interfacing technologies, discussing their scope and limitations. Additionally, selected examples of nanoLC-EI-MS applications in the field of biochemical analysis are presented, highlighting the potential prospects and benefits that the establishment of this technique can bring to this field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Fernando Mauro Lanças
- Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos 13566-590, Brazil
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Li C, Xiao J, Wu S, Liu L, Zeng X, Zhao Q, Zhang Z. Clinical application of serum-based proteomics technology in human tumor research. Anal Biochem 2023; 663:115031. [PMID: 36580994 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2022.115031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The rapid development of proteomics technology in the past decades has led to further human understanding of tumor research, and in some ways, the technology plays a very important supporting role in the early detection of tumors. Human serum has been shown to contain a variety of proteins closely related to life activities, and the dynamic change in proteins can often reflect the physiological and pathological conditions of the body. Serum has the advantage of easy extraction, so the application of proteomics technology in serum has become a hot spot and frontier area for the study of malignant tumors. However, there are still many difficulties in the standardized use of proteomic technologies, which inevitably limit the clinical application of proteomic technologies due to the heterogeneity of human proteins leading to incomplete whole proteome populations, in addition to most serum protein markers being now not highly specific in aiding the early detection of tumors. Nevertheless, further development of proteomics technologies will greatly increase our understanding of tumor biology and help discover more new tumor biomarkers with specificity that will enable medical technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Li
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hunan, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan Province, China
| | - Juan Xiao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hunan, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan Province, China
| | - Shihua Wu
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Shaoyang College, Hunan, Shaoyang, 422000, Hunan Province, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hunan, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan Province, China
| | - Xuemei Zeng
- Cancer Research Institute of Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Key Laboratory of Cancer Cellular and Molecular Pathology in Hunan Province, Hunan, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hunan, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan Province, China.
| | - Zhiwei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hunan, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan Province, China; Cancer Research Institute of Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Key Laboratory of Cancer Cellular and Molecular Pathology in Hunan Province, Hunan, Hengyang, 421001, China.
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Comprehensive Controller for Super Sonic Molecular Beam Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer. SEPARATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/separations9120417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper presents a new, comprehensive digital circuit used for the control of a novel gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC-MS) interface that is based on supersonic molecular beam (SMB). The circuit includes a Texas Instruments 150 MHz digital signal controller (DSC), high voltage amplifiers for 8 independent channels and 4 independent channels of high resolution pulse width modulation (PWM). The circuit, along with a sophisticated embedded program and a custom made personal computer (PC) application, control all aspects of the interface: smart filament emission-current stabilization, static and scanning mass-dependent ion-source voltages, transfer-line heater proportional integral differential (PID) controls with thermocouple feedbacks, on/off valves, relays and several peripheral device controls that enable the full operation of a turbo-molecular vacuum pump, and of gas flow and pressure controllers. All aspects of this comprehensive controller were successfully tested. The signal for the 450 Th ion (C32H66) for example increased by 123% which is a significant increase. It is obvious that correctly tuned dynamic voltages can guarantee the optimal signal for each mass.
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Vargas Medina DA, Pereira dos Santos NG, Maciel EVS, Lanças FM. Current prospects on nano liquid chromatography coupled to electron ionization mass spectrometry (nanoLC-EI-MS). J LIQ CHROMATOGR R T 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/10826076.2022.2110114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Maciel EVS, Pereira dos Santos NG, Vargas Medina DA, Lanças FM. Electron ionization mass spectrometry: Quo vadis? Electrophoresis 2022; 43:1587-1600. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.202100392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Fernando Mauro Lanças
- Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos University of São Paulo São Carlos São Paulo Brazil
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Porous layer open tubular nano liquid chromatography directly coupled to electron ionization mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2022; 1674:463143. [PMID: 35588591 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A 25 µm i.d x 1.2 m length PS-DVB porous layer open tubular column (PLOT) was prepared and assessed in the configuration of a nano liquid chromatography coupled to an electron ionization mass spectrometry system (OT-nanoLC-EI-Ms), via the direct insertion of the column outlet into the ionization source. The developed system's operational parameters were comprehensively studied, and the setup performance was investigated employing both unidimensional and column switching configurations. As a result, the OT-nanoLC-EI-MS system demonstrated competitive applicability in separating non-amenable ESI compounds, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and non-amenable GC compounds such as thermolabile pesticides. Furthermore, with excellent chromatographic performance, the PLOT columns can work under more compatible EI-detection conditions - such as the elution with 100% organic solvent. For example, PAHs retention factors ranged between 1.5 and 2.2 for 100% MeCN mobile phase, and more than 33,000 plates per meter for naphthalene at 50 nL/min flow rate. In analyzing thermolabile pesticides, the column switching PLOT-nanoLC-EI-MS system provided LODs of 25 µg/L, demonstrating suitable intra e interday reproducibility (% RSD < 13%, n = 3), and possibilities the direct injection of raw samples with suitable robustness.
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Tsizin S, Fialkov AB, Amirav A. Analysis of impurities in pharmaceuticals by LC-MS with cold electron ionization. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2020; 55:e4587. [PMID: 32662574 DOI: 10.1002/jms.4587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals require careful and precise determination of their impurities that might harm the user upon consumption. Although today, the most common technique for impurities identification is liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), it has several downsides due to the nature of the ionization method. Also, the analyses in many cases are targeted thus despite being present, some of the compounds will not be revealed. In this paper, we propose and show a new method for untargeted analysis and identification of impurities in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The instrument used for these analyses is a novel electron ionization (EI) LC-MS with supersonic molecular beams (SMB). The EI-LC-MS-SMB was implemented for analyses of several drug samples spiked with an impurity. The instrument provides EI mass spectra with enhanced molecular ions, named Cold EI, which increases the identification probabilities when the compound is identified with the aid of an EI library like National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). We analyzed ibuprofen and its impurities, and both the API and the expected impurity were identified with names and structures by the NIST library. Moreover, other unexpected impurities were found and identified proving the ability of the EI-LC-MS-SMB system for truly untargeted analysis. The results show a broad dynamic range of four orders of magnitude at the same run with a signal-to-noise ratio of over 10 000 for the API and almost uniform response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Tsizin
- School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | | | - Aviv Amirav
- School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
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