Multilaboratory Collaborative Study of a Nontarget Data Acquisition for Target Analysis (nDATA) Workflow Using Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Accurate Mass Spectrometry for Pesticide Screening in Fruits and Vegetables

Nontarget data acquisition for target analysis (nDATA) workflows using liquid chromatography-high-resolution accurate mass (LC-HRAM) spectrometry, spectral screening software, and a compound database have generated interest because of their potential for screening of pesticides in foods. However, these procedures and particularly the instrument processing software need to be thoroughly evaluated before implementation in routine analysis. In this work, 25 laboratories participated in a collaborative study to evaluate an nDATA workflow on high moisture produce (apple, banana, broccoli, carrot, grape, lettuce, orange, potato, strawberry, and tomato). Samples were extracted in each laboratory by quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS), and data were acquired by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to a high-resolution quadrupole Orbitrap (QOrbitrap) or quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectrometer operating in full-scan mass spectrometry (MS) data-independent tandem mass spectrometry (LC-FS MS/DIA MS/MS) acquisition mode. The nDATA workflow was evaluated using a restricted compound database with 51 pesticides and vendor processing software. Pesticide identifications were determined by retention time (t_R, ±0.5 min relative to the reference retention times used in the compound database) and mass errors (δ_M) of the precursor (RTP, δ_M ≤ ±5 ppm) and product ions (RTPI, δ_M ≤ ±10 ppm). The elution profiles of all 51 pesticides were within ±0.5 min among 24 of the participating laboratories. Successful screening was determined by false positive and false negative rates of <5% in unfortified (pesticide-free) and fortified (10 and 100 μg/kg) produce matrices. Pesticide responses were dependent on the pesticide, matrix, and instrument. The false negative rates were 0.7 and 0.1% at 10 and 100 μg/kg, respectively, and the false positive rate was 1.1% from results of the participating LC-HRAM platforms. Further evaluation was achieved by providing produce samples spiked with pesticides at concentrations blinded to the laboratories. Twenty-two of the 25 laboratories were successful in identifying all fortified pesticides (0-7 pesticides ranging from 5 to 50 μg/kg) for each produce sample (99.7% detection rate). These studies provide convincing evidence that the nDATA comprehensive approach broadens the screening capabilities of pesticide analyses and provide a platform with the potential to be easily extended to a larger number of other chemical residues and contaminants in foods.

New approach for removing co-extracted lipids before mass spectrometry measurement of persistent of organic pollutants (POPs) in foods

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) methods for foods and animal feeds require sufficient sample intake followed by an extensive removal of interfering matrix components and concentration before a gas chromatographic mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method can be applied. The extraction dissolves associated lipids in animal foods or feeds. Methods must eliminate all co-extracted lipids before determination by GC-MS. A new approach for removing lipids is presented using basic silica gel or metal ion immobilized silica gel (Ag+) in a single step. Absorbent order, adsorbent amounts, and flow rates were found to be essential for consistent results. KOH/silica gel or Ag⁺ ion (AgNO₃) silica gel were both shown to retain 75-85% of the co-extracted lipids without using sulfuric acid. KOH/silica gel method applied to butter fortified at 7.3 pg TEQ/g lipid with polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) produced accurate results for all fortified congeners with 20% of predicted (n = 6). Ag⁺ silica gel incorporated into the Miura GO-EHT automated system produced similar results fortified at 3 pg TEQ/g lipid. During PCDD/F fortifications of butter with PCDD/Fs (n = 6), labeled standard recoveries for PCDD/Fs and planar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were all acceptable (52-99%) averaging 77% using the Miura system. A reduction in the amounts of sulfuric acid silica gel needed was possible in the completion of co-extractant removal. PCDD/F spikes into butter and for a spiked sunflower oil (PCDD/Fs and coplanar PCBs) were within ± 20% of the predicted using the Miura system; suitable for current methods criteria for foods including criteria in EU legislation.

Application of a High-Resolution Quadrupole/Orbital Trapping Mass Spectrometer Coupled to a Gas Chromatograph for the Determination of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Cow's and Human Milk

A quadrupole/orbital trapping mass spectrometer or Q-Exactive (QE) interfaced with a gas chromatograph (GC) was optimized for measuring polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in foods. Figures of merit include (1) an instrument detection limit (IDL) for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin (TCDD) of 9 femtograms (fg), (2) quantitative mass resolution from PCDD interferences (e.g., PCBs, methoxy-PCBs DDTs, polychlorodibenzylphenyl ethers, polychloroxanthenes, methyl-polychlorodibenzofuran, and polychlorodibenzothiophenes), and (3) mass accuracy <1 ppm at the IDL. The QE measured the concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in whole cow's milk with no known source of contamination (e.g., TCDD 33 fg/g fat). A National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) unfortified human milk standard reference material (SRM) 1953 was measured determining 27 PCDD/F and PCB congeners with an average difference of 7.6% from the certified results. The QE-GC is a benchtop instrument, easy to service, easy to operate, and requires no lock masses, mass preselection, or chemical ionization conditions. The QE-GC demonstrated that it can be an alternative to the double focusing magnetic sector instruments (sector) for the high-resolution measurement of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in dairy products.

Perspectives on Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry for Pesticide Screening in Foods

This perspective discusses the use of liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) for multiresidue analysis of pesticides in foods and agricultural commodities. HRMS has the important distinction and advantage of mass-resolving power and, therefore, requires different concepts, experiments, and guidance for screening, identification, and quantitation of pesticides in complex food matrices over triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. HRMS approaches for pesticide screening, including full-scan experiments in conjunction with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) experiments, are described. This approach results in the generation of chromatographic retention times and high-resolution mass spectra with accurate mass measurements that can be used to create compound databases. New data processing tools can create an efficient and optimized screening approach that can speed the analysis and identification of compounds, reduce the need for chemical standards, and harmonize pesticide analytical procedures.

Determination of Multiresidue Pesticides in Botanical Dietary Supplements Using Gas Chromatography-Triple-Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS)

A simplified sample preparation method in combination with gas chromatography-triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) analysis was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of 227 pesticides in green tea, ginseng, gingko leaves, saw palmetto, spearmint, and black pepper samples. The botanical samples were hydrated with water and extracted with acetonitrile, magnesium sulfate, and sodium chloride. The acetonitrile extract was cleaned up using solid phase extraction with carbon-coated alumina/primary-secondary amine with or without C18. Recovery studies using matrix blanks fortified with pesticides at concentrations of 10, 25, 100, and 500 μg/kg resulted in average recoveries of 70-99% and relative standard deviation of 5-13% for all tested botanicals except for black pepper, for which lower recoveries of fortified pesticides were observed. Matrix-matched standard calibration curves revealed good linearity (r(2) > 0.99) across a wide concentration range (1-1000 μg/L). Nine commercially available tea and 23 ginseng samples were analyzed using this method. Results revealed 36 pesticides were detected in the 9 tea samples at concentrations of 2-3500 μg/kg and 61 pesticides were detected in the 23 ginseng samples at concentrations of 1-12500 μg/kg.

Multi-mycotoxin Analysis of Finished Grain and Nut Products Using Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Positive Electrospray Ionization-Quadrupole Orbital Ion Trap High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography using positive electrospray ionization and quadrupole orbital ion trap high-resolution mass spectrometry was evaluated for analyzing mycotoxins in finished cereal and nut products. Optimizing the orbital ion trap mass analyzer in full-scan mode using mycotoxin-fortified matrix extracts gave mass accuracies, δM, of < ± 2.0 ppm at 70,000 full width at half maximum (FWHM) mass resolution (RFWHM). The limits of quantitation were matrix- and mycotoxin-dependent, ranging from 0.02 to 11.6 μg/kg. Mean recoveries and standard deviations for mycotoxins from acetonitrile/water extraction at their relevant fortification levels were 91 ± 10, 94 ± 10, 98 ± 12, 91 ± 13, 99 ± 15, and 93 ± 17% for corn, rice, wheat, almond, peanut, and pistachio, respectively. Nineteen mycotoxins with concentrations ranging from 0.3 (aflatoxin B1 in peanut and almond) to 1175 μg/kg (fumonisin B1 in corn flour) were found in 35 of the 70 commercial grain and nut samples surveyed. Mycotoxins could be identified at δM < ± 5 ppm by identifying the precursor and product ions in full-scan MS and data-dependent MS/MS modes. This method demonstrates a new analytical approach for monitoring mycotoxins in finished grain and nut products.

Determinations for Pesticides on Black, Green, Oolong, and White Teas by Gas Chromatography Triple-Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

Black, green, white, and Oolong teas, all derived from leaves of Camellia sinensis, are widely consumed throughout the world and represent a significant part of the beverages consumed by Americans. A gas chromatography-triple quadrupole-based method, previously validated for pesticides on dried botanical dietary supplements, including green tea, was used to measure pesticides fortified into black and green teas at 10, 25, 100, and 500 μg/kg. Teas from 18 vendors of tea products were then surveyed for pesticides. Of 62 black, green, white, and Oolong tea products, 31 (50%) had residues of pesticides for which no United States Environmental Protection Agency tolerances are established for tea. The following pesticides were identified on tea leaves, with concentrations between 1 and 3200 μg/kg: anthraquinone, azoxystrobin, bifenthrin, buprofesin, chlorpyrifos, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, DDE-p,p', DDT-o,p, DDT-p,p', deltamethrin, endosulfan, fenvalerate, heptachlor, hexachlorocyclohexanes (α,β,γ,δ), phenylphenol, pyridaben, tebuconazole, tebufenpyrad, and triazophos. DDT-p,p' was found at much higher concentrations than DDE-p,p' or DDT-o,p' in 9 of 10 teas with DDTs. A comparison between three commercially available solid-phase extraction (SPE) column brands of the same type revealed that two brands of SPE columns could be interchanged without modification of the tea method.

Determination of mycotoxins in milk-based products and infant formula using stable isotope dilution assay and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A stable isotope dilution assay and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of 12 mycotoxins, aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁, G₂, and M₁, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins B₁, B₂, and B₃, ochratoxin A, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone, in milk-based infant formula and foods. Samples were fortified with 12 ¹³C uniformly labeled mycotoxins ([¹³C]-mycotoxins) that correspond to the 12 target mycotoxins and prepared by dilution and filtration, followed by LC-MS/MS analysis. Quantitation was achieved using the relative response factors of [¹³C]-mycotoxins and target mycotoxins. The average recoveries in fortified milk, milk-based infant formula, milk powder, and baby yogurt of aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁, and G₂ (2, 10, and 50 μg/kg), aflatoxin M₁ (0.5, 2.5, and 12.5 μg/kg), deoxynivalenol, fumonisins B₁, B₂, and B₃ (40, 200, and 1000 μg/kg), ochratoxin A, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone (20, 100, and 500 μg/kg), range from 89 to 126% with RSDs of <20%. The individual recoveries in the four fortified matrices range from 72% (fumonisin B₃, 20 μg/kg, milk-based infant formula) to 136% (T-2 toxin, 20 μg/kg, milk powder), with RSDs ranging from 2 to 25%. The limits of quantitation (LOQs) were from 0.01 μg/kg (aflatoxin M₁) to 2 (fumonisin B₁) μg/kg. Aflatoxin M₁ was detected in two European Reference materials at 0.127 ± 0.013 μg/kg (certified value = 0.111 ± 0.018 μg/kg) and 0.46 ± 0.04 μg/kg (certified value = 0.44 ± 0.06 μg/kg), respectively. In 60 local market samples, aflatoxins B₁ (1.14 ± 0.10 μg/kg) and B₂ (0.20 ± 0.03 μg/kg) were detected in one milk powder sample. Aflatoxin M₁ was detected in three imported samples (condensed milk, milk-based infant formula, and table cream), ranging from 0.10 to 0.40 μg/kg. The validated method provides sufficient selectivity, sensitivity, accuracy, and reproducibility to screen for aflatoxin M₁ at nanograms per kilogram concentrations and other mycotoxins, without using standard addition or matrix-matched calibration to compensate for matrix effects.

Multi-mycotoxin analysis of finished grain and nut products using high-performance liquid chromatography-triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry

Mycotoxins in foods have long been recognized as potential health hazards due to their toxic and carcinogenic properties. A simple and rapid method was developed to detect 26 mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, and ergot alkaloids) in corn, rice, wheat, almond, peanut, and pistachio products using high-performance liquid chromatography-triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry. Test portions of homogenized grain or nut products were extracted with acetonitrile/water (85:15, v/v), followed by high-speed centrifugation and dilution with water. Mean recoveries (± standard deviations) were 84 ± 6, 89 ± 6, 97 ± 9, 87 ± 12, 104 ± 16, and 92 ± 18% from corn, rice, wheat, almond, peanut, and pistachio products, respectively, and the matrix-dependent instrument quantitation limits ranged from 0.2 to 12.8 μg/kg, depending on the mycotoxin. Matrix effects, as measured by the slope ratios of matrix-matched and solvent-only calibration curves, revealed primarily suppression and were more pronounced in nuts than in grains. The measured mycotoxin concentrations in 11 corn and wheat reference materials were not different from the certified concentrations. Nineteen mycotoxins were identified and measured in 35 of 70 commercial grain and nut products, ranging from 0.3 ± 0.1 μg/kg (aflatoxin B1 in peanuts) to 1143 ± 87 μg/kg (fumonisin B1 in corn flour). This rapid and efficient method was shown to be rugged and effective for the multiresidue analysis of mycotoxins in finished grain and nut products.

Multiresidue pesticide analysis of dried botanical dietary supplements using an automated dispersive SPE cleanup for QuEChERS and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

An automated dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE) cleanup procedure as part of the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) method, coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization in positive mode, was used for the simultaneous analysis of 236 pesticides in three dried powdered botanical dietary supplements (ginseng, saw palmetto, and gingko biloba). The procedure involved extraction of the dried powdered botanical samples with salt-out acetonitrile/water extraction using anhydrous magnesium sulfate and sodium chloride, followed by an automated dSPE cleanup using a mixture of octadodecyl- (C18) and primary-secondary amine (PSA)-linked silica sorbents and anhydrous MgSO4 and online LC-MS/MS analysis. Dynamic multiple-reaction monitoring (DMRM) based on the collection of two precursor-to-product ion transitions with their retention time windows was used for all of the targeted pesticides and the internal standard. Matrix-matched calibration standards were used for quantitation, and standard calibration curves showed linearity (r(2) > 0.99) across a concentration range of 0.2-400 ng/mL for the majority of the 236 pesticides evaluated in the three botanical matrices. Mean recoveries (average %RSD, n = 4) were 91 (6), 93 (4), 96 (3), and 99 (3)% for ginseng, 101 (9), 98 (6), 99 (4), and 102 (3)% for gingko biloba, and 100 (9), 98 (6), 96 (4), and 96 (3)% for saw palmetto at fortification concentrations of 25, 100, 250, and 500 μg/kg, respectively. The geometric mean matrix-dependent instrument detection limits were 0.17, 0.09, and 0.14 μg/kg on the basis of the studies of 236 pesticides tested in ginseng roots, gingko biloba leaves, and saw palmetto berries, respectively. The method was used to analyze incurred ginseng samples that contained thermally labile pesticides with a concentration range of 2-200 μg/kg, indicating different classes of pesticides are being applied to these botanicals other than the traditional pesticides that are commonly used and analyzed by gas chromatography techniques. The method demonstrates the use of an automated cleanup procedure and the LC-MS/MS detection of multiple pesticide residues in dried, powdered botanical dietary supplements.

Protocol for an electrospray ionization tandem mass spectral product ion library: development and application for identification of 240 pesticides in foods

Modern determination techniques for pesticides must yield identification quickly with high confidence for timely enforcement of tolerances. A protocol for the collection of liquid chromatography (LC) electrospray ionization (ESI)-quadruple linear ion trap (Q-LIT) mass spectrometry (MS) library spectra was developed. Following the protocol, an enhanced product ion (EPI) library of 240 pesticides was developed by use of spectra collected from two laboratories. A LC-Q-LIT-MS workflow using scheduled multiple reaction monitoring (sMRM) survey scan, information-dependent acquisition (IDA) triggered collection of EPI spectra, and library search was developed and tested to identify the 240 target pesticides in one single LC-Q-LIT MS analysis. By use of LC retention time, one sMRM survey scan transition, and a library search, 75-87% of the 240 pesticides were identified in a single LC/MS analysis at fortified concentrations of 10 ng/g in 18 different foods. A conventional approach with LC-MS/MS using two MRM transitions produced the same identifications and comparable quantitative results with the same incurred foods as the LC-Q-LIT using EPI library search, finding 1.2-49 ng/g of either carbaryl, carbendazim, fenbuconazole, propiconazole, or pyridaben in peaches; carbendazim, imazalil, terbutryn, and thiabendazole in oranges; terbutryn in salmon; and azoxystrobin in ginseng. Incurred broccoli, cabbage, and kale were screened with the same EPI library using three LC-Q-LIT and a LC-quadruple time-of-flight (Q-TOF) instruments. The library search identified azoxystrobin, cyprodinil, fludioxinil, imidacloprid, metalaxyl, spinosyn A, D, and J, amd spirotetramat with each instrument. The approach has a broad application in LC-MS/MS type targeted screening in food analysis.

Multiresidue pesticide analysis of agricultural commodities using acetonitrile salt-out extraction, dispersive solid-phase sample clean-up, and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A multiresidue method analyzing 209 pesticides in 24 agricultural commodities has been developed and validated using the original Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) procedure and high performance liquid chromatography-positive electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Using solvent-only calibration standards (SOCSs) and matrix-matched calibration standards (MMCSs), it was demonstrated that a minimal concentration of 5-10 μg/kg (part per billion, ppb) of analytes in matrix is required for the consistent identification of targeted pesticides with two MRM transitions. Method performance was validated by the precision and accuracy results obtained from fortification studies at 10, 25, 100, and 500 ppb and MMCSs. The method was demonstrated to achieve an average recovery of 100 ± 20% (n = 4) for >75% of evaluated pesticides at the low fortification level (10 ppb) and improved to >84% at the higher fortification concentrations in all 24 matrices. Matrix effects in LC-MS/MS analysis were studied by evaluating the slope ratios of calibration curves (1.0-100 ng/mL) obtained from the SOCSs and MMCSs. Principal component analysis (PCA) of LC-MS/MS and method validation data confirmed that each matrix exerts its specific effect during the sample preparation and LC-MS/MS analysis. The matrix effect is primarily dependent on the matrix type, pesticide type and concentration. Some caution is warranted when using matrix matched calibration curves for the quantitation of pesticides to alleviate concerns on matrix effects. The QuEChERS method with LC-MS/MS was used to identify and quantitate pesticides residues, with concentrations ranging from 2.5 to >1000 ppb in a variety of agricultural samples, demonstrating fitness for screening and surveillance applications.

Multiresidue pesticide analysis by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A multiresidue pesticide method using a modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) procedure and capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is described for the determination of 166 organochlorine, organophosphorus, and pyrethroid pesticides, metabolites, and isomers in spinach. The pesticides from spinach were extracted using acetonitrile saturated with magnesium sulfate and sodium chloride, followed by solid-phase dispersive cleanup using primary-secondary amine and graphitized carbon black sorbents and toluene. Analysis is performed using different GC-MS techniques emphasizing the benefits of non-targeted acquisition and targeted screening procedures. Non-targeted data acquisition of pesticides in the spinach was demonstrated using GC coupled to a single quadrupole mass spectrometery (GC-MS) in full scan mode or multidimensional GC-time-of-flight mass spectrometery (GC  ×  GC-TOF/MS), along with deconvolution software and libraries. Targeted screening was achieved using GC-single quadrupole mass spectrometry in selective ion monitoring (GC-MS/SIM) mode or -tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The development of these techniques demonstrates the powerful use of GC-MS for the screening, identification, and quantitation of pesticide residues in foods.

Multiresidue pesticide analysis of ginseng powders using acetonitrile- or acetone-based extraction, solid-phase extraction cleanup, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/selective ion monitoring (GC-MS/SIM) or -tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS)

A multiresidue method for the analysis of 168 pesticides in dried powdered ginseng has been developed using acetonitrile or acetone mixture (acetone/cyclohexane/ethyl acetate, 2:1:1 v/v/v) extraction, solid-phase extraction (SPE) cleanup with octyl-bonded silica (C(8)), graphitized carbon black/primary-secondary amine (GCB/PSA) sorbents and toluene, and capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/selective ion monitoring (GC-MS/SIM) or -tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The geometric mean limits of quantitation (LOQs) were 53 and 6 microg/kg for the acetonitrile extraction and 48 and 7 microg/kg for the acetone-based extraction for GC-MS/SIM and GC-MS/MS, respectively. Mean percent recoveries and standard deviations from the ginseng fortified at 25, 100, and 500 microg/kg using GC-MS/SIM were 87 +/- 10, 88 +/- 8, and 86 +/- 10% from acetonitrile extracts and 88 +/- 13, 88 +/- 12, and 88 +/- 14% from acetone mixture extracts, respectively. The mean percent recoveries from the ginseng at the 25, 100, and 500 microg/kg levels using GC-MS/MS were 83 +/- 19, 90 +/- 13, and 89 +/- 11% from acetonitrile extracts and 98 +/- 20, 91 +/- 13, and 88 +/- 14% from acetone extracts, respectively. Twelve dried ginseng products were found to contain one or more of the following pesticides and their metabolites: BHCs (benzene hexachlorides, alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-), chlorothalonil, chlorpyrifos, DDT (dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane), dacthal, diazinon, iprodione, quintozene, and procymidone ranging from <1 to >4000 microg/kg. No significant differences were found between the two extraction solvents, and GC-MS/MS was found to be more specific and sensitive than GC-MS/SIM. The procedures described were shown to be effective in screening, identifying, confirming, and quantitating pesticides in commercial ginseng products.

Multiresidue pesticide analysis in fresh produce by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/selective ion monitoring (GC-MS/SIM) and -tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS)

A multiresidue method for the analysis of pesticides in fresh produce has been developed using salt-out acetonitrile extraction, solid-phase dispersive cleanup with octadecyl-bonded silica (C(18)), and graphitized carbon black/primary-secondary amine (GCB/PSA) sorbents and toluene, followed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring mode (GC-MS/SIM) or -tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Quantitation was determined from calibration curves using matrix-matched standards ranging from 3.3 to 6667 ng/mL with r(2) > 0.99, and geometric mean limits of quantitation were typically 8.4 and 3.4 microg/kg for GC-MS/SIM and GC-MS/MS, respectively. Identification was determined by using target and qualifier ions and qualifier-to-target ratios for GC-MS/SIM and two ion transitions for GC-MS/MS. Fortification studies (10, 25, 100, and 500 microg/kg) were performed on 167 organohalogen, organophosphorus, and pyrethroid pesticides in 10 different commodities (apple, broccoli, carrot, onion, orange, pea, peach, potato, spinach, and tomato). The mean percent recoveries were 90 +/- 14, 87 +/- 14, 89 +/- 14, and 92 +/- 14% for GC-MS/SIM and 95 +/- 22, 93 +/- 14, 93 +/- 13, and 97 +/- 13% for GC-MS/MS at 10, 25, 100, and 500 microg/kg, respectively. GC-MS/MS was shown to be more effective than GC-MS/SIM due to its specificity and sensitivity in detecting pesticides in fresh produce samples. The method, based on concepts from the multiresidue procedure used by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe), was shown to be efficient in screening, identifying, and quantitating pesticides in fresh produce samples.

Multiresidue method for pesticides and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in milk and cream using comprehensive two-dimensional capillary gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A method for the analysis of pesticides and their metabolites including most of the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in milk and cream is described. The method was single-laboratory validated through milk fortification in quadruplicate with 34 pesticides, isomers, and metabolites including 12 of the insecticide POPs and their metabolites. Whole cow's milk was fortified at 0.2, 0.4, 1, 2, 10, or 50 microg/kg wet weight and extracted with acetone/cyclohexane/ethyl acetate (2:1:1) with the addition of Mg(2)SO(4) and NaCl. Fat recovered in the extract accurately reflected the fat content of the milk or cream. All test portions were purified on a gel permeation chromatograph (GPC) followed by solid phase extraction (SPE) cleanup on a mixed bed graphitized carbon black (GCB) and primary/secondary amine silica gel (PSA) column before determination using a comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatograph interfaced to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Average recoveries were 77, 72, 73, 66, 77, and 84% for 0.2, 0.4, 1, 2, 10, and 50 microg/kg wet weight whole milk, respectively. The average relative standard deviations for 0.2, 0.4, 1, 2, 10, and 50 microg/kg were 10, 8, 7, 7, 3, and 3%, respectively. The limits of quantification (LOQs) for all pesticides were 0.2 or 0.4 microg/kg wet weight. An archived cream sample collected in 1982 on Oahu, Hawaii, was found to contain only hepatachlor epoxide (HE) and DDE-p,p' at 380 +/- 24 and 69 +/- 17 microg/kg fat, significantly elevated over the current action level of 50 microg/kg fat for HE.

Multiresidue pesticide analysis of wines by dispersive solid-phase extraction and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A multiresidue pesticide method is described for the determination of 72 pesticides in wines. Pesticides were extracted using acetonitrile saturated with magnesium sulfate and sodium chloride, followed by solid-phase dispersive cleanup using primary-secondary amine and graphitized carbon black sorbents. Analysis is performed by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The limits of quantitation (LOQs) for most of the pesticides ranged from 0.3 to 3.3 μg/L with the exception of cyromazine, fenhexamid, and acibenzolar S-methyl (LOQ > 10 μg/L), and quantitation was determined from calibration curves of standards containing 5.0-2500 μg/L with r(2) > 0.99. Recovery studies were performed by fortifying wine samples with the pesticides to concentrations of 10, 100, and 1000 μg/L, resulting in recoveries of >80% for most of the pesticides. Lower (<70%) and higher (>120%) recoveries were most likely from complications of pesticide lability or volatility, matrix interference, or inefficient desorption from the solid-phase sorbents. The method was used to analyze 10 wines collected from a market basket survey, and 19 different pesticides, primarily fungicides, were present at concentrations ranging from <1.0 to 1000 μg/L.

Analysis of organophosphorus pesticides in dried ground ginseng root by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and -flame photometric detection

A method was developed to determine organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) in dried ground ginseng root. Pesticides were extracted from the sample using acetonitrile/water saturated with salts, followed by solid-phase dispersive cleanup, and analyzed by capillary gas chromatography with electron ionization mass spectrometry in selective ion monitoring mode (GC-MS/SIM) and flame photometric detection (GC-FPD) in phosphorus mode. The detection limits for most of the pesticides were 0.025-0.05 microg/g using GC-FPD but were analyte-dependent for GC-MS/SIM, ranging from 0.005 to 0.50 microg/g. Quantitation was determined from 0.050 to 5.0 microg/g with r 2 > 0.99 for a majority of the pesticides using both detectors. Recovery studies were performed by fortifying the dried ground ginseng root samples to concentrations of 0.025, 0.1, and 1.0 microg/g, resulting in recoveries of >90% for most pesticides by GC-FPD. Lower (<70%) and higher (>120%) recoveries were most likely from complications of pesticide lability or volatility, matrix interference, or inefficient desorption from the solid-phase sorbents. There was difficulty in analyzing the ginseng samples for the OPs using GC-MS at the lower fortification levels for some of the OPs due to lack of confirmation. GC-FPD and GC-MS/SIM complement each other in detecting the OPs in dried ground ginseng root samples. This procedure was shown to be effective and was applied to the analysis of OPs in ginseng root samples. One particular sample, a ground and dried American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) root sample, was found to contain diazinon quantified at approximately 25 microg/kg by external calibration using matrix-matched standards or standard addition using both detectors. The advantage of using both detectors is that confirmation can be achieved using GC-MS, whereas the use of a megabore column in GC-FPD can be used to quantitate some of the nonpolar OPs without the use of matrix-matched standards or standard addition.

Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in baby food made from chicken produced before and after the termination of ball clay use in chicken feed in the United States

Polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxin/furans were determined in chicken-containing baby foods collected from an annually conducted total diet survey by the US FDA during the last half of fiscal year (FY) 1997 through the first half of FY 1998. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) was found in 8 of 11 baby food samples. The levels were between 0.025 and 0.28 ng kg(-1) wet wt (0.25-5 ng kg(-1) lipid). The mean TCDD value for chicken-containing baby food with "nondetects" equal to 0 was 1.2 ng kg(-1) lipid, eight times higher than the average level found during a previous survey of chicken lipid TCDD levels in 1996. All other 2,3,7,8-chlorine-substituted dibenzo-p-dioxin congeners were also found with a profile consistent with the use of ball clay in chicken feed. TCDD was not detected in any FY 2000 baby foods made with chicken, with an average limit of detection (LOD) of 0.025 ng kg(-1) wet wt. Whole eggs collected in 1997 from producers that never used ball clay in feed revealed TCDD measurements that were nearly all nondetects and none above the median LOD of 0.015 ng kg(-1) wet wt. The percentage of chickens fed ball clay in their feed was estimated to be between 2.6% and 3.5% of all chickens produced in the United States in 1997.

Quadrupole ion storage tandem mass spectrometry and high-resolution mass spectrometry: complementary application in the measurement of 2,3,7,8-chlorine substituted dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in US foods

The US Food and Drug Administration has simultaneously utilized both high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and quadrupole ion storage tandem mass spectrometry (QISTMS) in the measurement of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in 147 food samples collected in 1998 and 1999 in the US. In 1998, 20 egg samples, six scallop, 10 blue crab, eight American lobster, 10 pollack, 15 striped bass, five rockfish, 10 crawfish, seven aqua-cultured and 13 wild-caught salmon, along with 19 cream and 18 mozzarella cheese samples were measured for PCDD/Fs. QISTMS provided limits of detection (LODs) close to those produced using HRMS for many congeners in 56 samples analyzed by both techniques in 1998 and three salmon and three striped bass collected in 1999. The I-TEQs of the mean levels for measured congeners in 40 samples of fish and shellfish and 16 cheese and eggs from 1998 analyzed by HRMS and QISTMS were 0.99 and 1.1 ng/kg wet weight, respectively. The I-TEQ for mean congener levels in the 40 fish and shellfish measured by HRMS was 1.4 ng/kg wet weight. A higher sample throughput with greater data quality at a lower cost is achievable by using both QISTMS and HRMS.

Selection of alternative 5' splice sites: role of U1 snRNP and models for the antagonistic effects of SF2/ASF and hnRNP A1

The first component known to recognize and discriminate among potential 5' splice sites (5'SSs) in pre-mRNA is the U1 snRNP. However, the relative levels of U1 snRNP binding to alternative 5'SSs do not necessarily determine the splicing outcome. Strikingly, SF2/ASF, one of the essential SR protein-splicing factors, causes a dose-dependent shift in splicing to a downstream (intron-proximal) site, and yet it increases U1 snRNP binding at upstream and downstream sites simultaneously. We show here that hnRNP A1, which shifts splicing towards an upstream 5'SS, causes reduced U1 snRNP binding at both sites. Nonetheless, the importance of U1 snRNP binding is shown by proportionality between the level of U1 snRNP binding to the downstream site and its use in splicing. With purified components, hnRNP A1 reduces U1 snRNP binding to 5'SSs by binding cooperatively and indiscriminately to the pre-mRNA. Mutations in hnRNP A1 and SF2/ASF show that the opposite effects of the proteins on 5'SS choice are correlated with their effects on U1 snRNP binding. Cross-linking experiments show that SF2/ASF and hnRNP A1 compete to bind pre-mRNA, and we conclude that this competition is the basis of their functional antagonism; SF2/ASF enhances U1 snRNP binding at all 5'SSs, the rise in simultaneous occupancy causing a shift in splicing towards the downstream site, whereas hnRNP A1 interferes with U1 snRNP binding such that 5'SS occupancy is lower and the affinities of U1 snRNP for the individual sites determine the site of splicing.

Elevated TCDD in chicken eggs and farm-raised catfish fed a diet with ball clay from a Southern United States mine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) terminated the use of ball clay from a mine in Mississippi as an additive in animal feed after discovering nanogram per gram concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD). The FDA collected chicken eggs and farm-raised catfish in affected areas and throughout the remaining continental United States to assess levels of 2,3,7,8-TCDD. A new method using quadrupole ion storage tandem-in-time mass spectrometry (QISTMS) measured the 2,3,7,8-TCDD levels in 42 catfish fillet composites, 3 Tilapia fillet composites, 46 chicken egg samples, and 6 chicken feeds. Six catfish composites and 20 egg samples had 2,3,7,8-TCDD concentrations significantly above 1.0 pg/g wet weight of fillet or whole egg. Farm-raised catfish not exposed to feed containing ball clay had a mean 2,3,7,8-TCDD concentration of 0.12 pg/g. The TCDD isomer pattern in ball clay differed from the TCDD isomer pattern in a fly ash sample and from the "chick edema factor" TCDD pattern in a sample of reference toxic fat used as a feed ingredient in the 1950s.

Tandem-in-time mass spectrometry method for the sub-parts-per-trillion determination of 2,3,7,8-chlorine-substituted dibenzo-p-dioxins and -furans in high-fat foods

Limits of quantitation (LOQs) for a quadrupole ion storage tandem-in-time mass spectrometry (QISTMS) method were evaluated through replicate analysis of unfortified peanut oil, shortening, lamb fat, and butter for all 2,3,7,8-chlorine-substituted polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs). Ten congeners were measurable in butter (0.27-2.5 pg/g) and nine congeners were measurable in lamb fat (0.09-2.6 pg/g) with good precision. LOQs for high-fat foods were estimated by triplicate analysis of peanut oil fortified at two levels. Accurate and reproducible results were achieved at 0.5 pg/g for most PCDD/Fs (1.0 pg/g for heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and heptachlorodibenzofuran and 2.0 pg/g for octachlorodibenzofuran) and at 0.2 pg/g for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). QISTMS distinguished between catfish and chicken eggs with elevated TCDD levels from background samples collected from the most regions of the continental United States. QISTMS determined the extent of TCDD contamination in butter, lamb fat, and cottonseed oil collected from rural villages in Kazakhstan. Replicate analysis of catfish and chicken eggs by the QISTMS method produced comparable results to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Lower limits of detection will be needed if QISTMS is to fully complement HRMS in the measurement of TCDD levels in food.

Determination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran background in milk and cheese by quadrupole ion storage collision induced dissociation MS/MS

Recent developments in quadrupole ion storage scanning techniques have made possible the acquisition of mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (MS/MS) data with high sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility. Retail dairy products were analyzed successfully for bioincurred or background contamination by all 17 of the 2,3,7,8 substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Analytes were measured by both full scan electron impact low resolution MS (EI-LRMS) and collision induced dissociation MS/MS (CID MS/MS). Results were comparable using either technique. MS/MS, however, provided higher sensitivity and selectivity on many congeners. Results for the MS/MS technique were reproducible, with little reduction in sensitivity or spectral quality during the analyses of all test samples. The MS/MS signal to noise ratio (S/N) was 10 to 100 times greater than low resolution electron impact performed with the same instrument in food matrices. Signal to noise ratios increased on most parent ions as well as for all daughter ions. Further development of this technique may provide a cost effective alternative to traditional HRMS analyses of PCDDs and PCDFs in food.

Biotransfer and bioaccumulation of dioxins and furans from soil: chickens as a model for foraging animals

Chickens were used as a model for foraging animals to examine the bioavailability of all 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDFs) from soil. Three groups of chickens were exposed through their diet to soil contaminated with PCDD/PCDFs at less than 0.5 pg/g I-TEQ (control group), 42 pg/g I-TEQ (low exposure group), and 460 pg/g I-TEQs (high exposure group). Eggs, tissues, feces and feed were analysed throughout the exposure and depuration period. Daily intake was estimated at 2.5 ng/kg-day for the high and 0.3 ng/kg-day for the low exposure groups. Bioavailability was chlorination-dependent ranging from 80% for tetrachlorinated to less than 10% for octachlorinated congeners. During exposure, tissue distribution was congener-dependent with 5-30% of the intake excreted in the eggs, 7-54% deposited in the adipose and less than 1% present in the liver. On a fat weight basis, the highest concentrations were observed in the liver, implying that mechanisms other than lipid solubility operate in that tissue. Bioconcentration factors and elimination half-lives were also congener- and tissue-dependent. Results from this study indicate that animals foraging on soil contaminated at low ppt PCDD/PCDF levels may bioaccumulate these compounds to unacceptable levels.

World Health Organization international intercalibration study on dioxins and furans in human milk and blood

Under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO), an interlaboratory calibration on the analysis of PCDD/PCDFs in human milk and blood was carried out which included 19 laboratories from 14 countries. The study design involved the analysis of three samples of each matrix in triplicate. Selected samples were spiked with native standards of certain 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners at concentrations known only to WHO staff. The study design resulted in approximately 4000 individual pieces of PCDD/PCDF data generated by a variety of analytical methods, at various concentrations, and by laboratories of widely different experience. This was, by considerable margin, the largest study which allowed for the direct comparison of laboratory and method performance. The results of statistical analysis of this data base addresses the effect on data quality of clean up methods, instrumental methods, analyte concentration, laboratory QA programs, and laboratory experience. The study has shown that the laboratory is the single most important determinant of data precision and accuracy. The method of analyte enrichment (sample clean up), analyte measurement [gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) protocol], and analyte concentration have weaker correlations with data quality.