Determination of leucine and isoleucine/allo-isoleucine by electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry and partial least square regression: Application to saliva samples.

Herein we propose, for the first time, a rapid method based on flow injection analysis, electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-ESI-MS/MS) and multivariate calibration for the determination of l-leucine, l-isoleucine and L-allo-isoleucine in saliva. As far as we know, multivariate calibration has never been applied to the data from this non-separative approach. The possibilities of its use were explored and the results obtained were compared with the corresponding ones when using univariate calibration.

Non-separative method based on a single quadrupole mass spectrometer for the semi-quantitative determination of amino acids in saliva samples. A preliminary study.

Amino acids have been of great interest in clinical studies since variation in their concentration may provide information about different disorders. For the first time, a non-separative method based on single quadrupole mass spectrometry (qMS) for the simultaneous semiquantitative determination of sixteen amino acids in saliva samples has been developed. The method includes derivatisation of amino acids with ethyl chloroformate-pyridine-ethanol to obtain volatile products, liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and further analysis using a programmed temperature vaporizer (PTV) coupled to qMS.

Multiple headspace sampling coupled to a programmed temperature vaporizer to improve sensitivity in headspace-gas chromatography. Determination of aldehydes.

The improvement of sensitivity in headspace (HS) sampling of not very volatile analytes constitutes a challenge that has usually been approached through coupling with additional techniques. Here we propose a new methodology for increasing sensitivity through a multistep approach. This proof of concept is based on direct coupling of a headspace sampler with a programmed temperature vaporizer (PTV) and a gas chromatograph (GC), with mass spectrometry (MS) detection.

Determination of polyamines and related compounds in saliva via in situ derivatization and microextraction by packed sorbents coupled to GC-MS.

Here we show the determination of different polyamines (putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine) and related compounds (gamma-aminobutyric acid and l-ornithine) in saliva samples. These compounds are known to be biomarkers for several diseases. We have optimised an in situ derivatization process using ethyl chloroformate, an automated microextraction by packed sorbent and the determination of the corresponding products using a programmed temperature vaporizer coupled to a gas chromatograph - mass spectrometer.

Development of a screening and confirmatory method for the analysis of polar endogenous compounds in saliva based on a liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric system.

In this paper, a high-throughput approach is proposed for the sensitive screening and the confirmatory analysis of polar compounds in saliva using a two-step approach based on a liquid chromatographic system coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. A reversed-phase chromatographic column was used in both steps and changes in the composition of the mobile phase allowed the screening and the confirmatory analyses to be performed with the same instrumental configuration. The proposed strategy has been tested for the determination of a multiclass group of polar endogenous compounds (creatinine, polyamines and amino acids) in saliva samples.

Non-separative mass spectrometry methods for non-invasive medical diagnostics based on volatile organic compounds: A review.

In this review, an assessment of non-separative methods based on mass spectrometry used to analyse volatile organic compounds in the field of bioanalysis is performed. The use of non-separative methods based on mass spectrometry has been established as an attractive option for analysing compounds. These instrumental configurations are suitable for biomedical applications because of their versatility, rapid output of results, and the wide range of volatile organic compounds that can be determined.

Liquid-liquid extraction-programmed temperature vaporizer-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in saliva samples. Application to the occupational exposure of firefighters.

We present the development and validation of a sensitive method for the reliable determination of sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in saliva samples, which can be used as exposure markers. This method was based on a liquid-liquid extraction and programmed temperature vaporizer-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (LLE-PTV-GC-MS). Since no matrix effect was found, quantification was performed using external calibration.

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urine samples using a non-separative method based on mass spectrometry.

In this work, a method for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of 11 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urine samples is reported. The method is based on the coupling of a programmed temperature vaporizer (PTV) with a quadrupole mass spectrometer (qMS), via a deactivated fused silica tubing. Before the PTV-qMS analysis, the samples were subjected to a liquid-liquid extraction (LLE).

Urinary volatile fingerprint based on mass spectrometry for the discrimination of patients with lung cancer and controls.

Profile signals of urine samples corresponding to patients with lung cancer and controls were obtained using a non-separative methodology. The method is based on the coupling of a headspace sampler, a programed temperature vaporizer and a mass spectrometer (HS-PTV-MS). With only a centrifugation step as prior sample treatment, the samples were subjected to the headspace generation process and the volatiles generated were introduced into the PTV where they were trapped in the Tenax® packed liner while the solvent was purged.

Determination of ketones and ethyl acetate-a preliminary study for the discrimination of patients with lung cancer.

In this work, ten possible volatile biomarkers of lung cancer (acetone, 2-butanone, ethyl acetate, 2-pentanone, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, 2-hexanone, 3-heptanone, 2-heptanone, 3-octanone, and 2-nonanone) have been analyzed to evaluate their different concentration levels in urine samples from lung cancer patients (n = 12) and healthy controls (n = 12). The volatile compounds were generated with a headspace autosampler and analyzed with a gas chromatograph equipped with a programmed temperature vaporizer and mass spectrometry detector (HS-PTV-GC-MS). With the aim of evaluating the aforementioned differences, a Mann-Whitney U test and box-plots were obtained.

Headspace-programmed temperature vaporizer-mass spectrometry and pattern recognition techniques for the analysis of volatiles in saliva samples.

A rapid method for the analysis of volatiles in saliva samples is proposed. The method is based on direct coupling of three components: a headspace sampler (HS), a programmable temperature vaporizer (PTV) and a quadrupole mass spectrometer (qMS). Several applications in the biomedical field have been proposed with electronic noses based on different sensors.

Use of microextraction by packed sorbent directly coupled to an electron ionization single quadrupole mass spectrometer as an alternative for non-separative determinations.

Sometimes it is not necessary to separate the individual compounds of a sample to resolve an analytical problem, it is enough to obtain a signal profile of the sample formed by all the components integrating it. Within this strategy, electronic noses based on the direct coupling of a headspace sampler with a mass spectrometer (HS-MS) have been proposed. Nevertheless, this coupling is not suitable for the analysis of non-volatile compounds.

Derivatization coupled to headspace programmed-temperature vaporizer gas chromatography with mass spectrometry for the determination of amino acids: Application to urine samples.

A new method based on headspace programmed-temperature vaporizer gas chromatography with mass spectrometry has been developed and validated for the determination of amino acids (alanine, sarcosine, ethylglycine, valine, leucine, and proline) in human urine samples. Derivatization with ethyl chloroformate was employed successfully to determine the amino acids. The derivatization reaction conditions as well as the variables of the headspace sampling were optimized.

Headspace-programmed temperature vaporization-mass spectrometry for the rapid determination of possible volatile biomarkers of lung cancer in urine.

We propose a new method for the rapid determination of five volatile compounds described in the literature as possible biomarkers of lung cancer in urine samples. The method is based on the coupling of a headspace sampler, a programmed temperature vaporizer in solvent-vent injection mode, and a mass spectrometer (HS-PTV-MS). This configuration is known as an electronic nose based on mass spectrometry.

Use of microextraction by packed sorbents and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of polyamines and related compounds in urine.

A novel methodology for the determination of ornithine, putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine and gamma-amino butyric acid in urine samples has been developed. The method uses in situ aqueous derivatization followed by automated microextraction by packed sorbent coupled to a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system equipped with a programmed temperature vaporizer. This instrumental configuration minimizes sample manipulation due to from the mixing of the reagents, the process is completely automated.

Headspace generation coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the automated determination and quantification of endogenous compounds in urine. Aldehydes as possible markers of oxidative stress.

A methodology for the determination of five aldehydes in urine has been developed based on the coupling of a headspace generation sampler with a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system equipped with a programmed temperature vaporizer. This instrumental configuration minimizes sample manipulation and allows the determination of these compounds without the need for a derivatization step so that the methodology is largely shortened and simplified. An experimental design was carried out in order to optimize the headspace sampling.

In situ derivatization combined to automated microextraction by packed sorbents for the determination of chlorophenols in soil samples by gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

A method based on the coupling of in situ extraction and derivatization of chlorophenols (CPs) (2-chlorophenol, 4-chloro-3-methylphenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol) from soils, accomplishing their preconcentration by means of automated microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS), is proposed. After extraction and acylation of the chlorophenols in aqueous medium, the liquid phase obtained is subjected to the MEPS procedure. The QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) and MEPS techniques were compared and the results confirmed the preconcentration carried out with MEPS.

Sensitivity enhancement in the determination of volatile biomarkers in saliva using a mass spectrometry-based electronic nose with a programmed temperature vaporizer.

With a view to improving the sensitivity of direct coupling of a headspace sampler (HS) with a mass spectrometer (MS), here we propose the use of a programmed temperature vaporizer (PTV) in solvent-vent injection mode before the sample is introduced into the MS. This preconcentration scheme has been used for some time in many methods based on gas chromatography (GC), but to the best of our knowledge it has not yet been used in an electronic nose based on MS. The increase in the S/N ratio with the proposed instrumental configuration (HS-PTV/MS) lies between 6.

Ionic liquids as stationary phases in gas chromatography: determination of chlorobenzenes in soils.

The present research focuses on the evaluation of different ionic liquid (IL) stationary phases in gas chromatography. The different IL columns were evaluated in terms of peak resolution (Rs) and peak symmetry for the separation of the chlorobenzenes. The determination of chlorobenzenes in soil samples by means of the optimal IL stationary phase (SLB-IL82) is proposed as an application.

Microextraction by packed sorbent and salting-out-assisted liquid-liquid extraction for the determination of aromatic amines formed from azo dyes in textiles.

EU legislation prohibits the use of certain azo dyes which, on reduction, form any of 22 aromatic amines listed in Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 at concentrations above the threshold limit of 30 mg Kg(-1). Two different extraction techniques for the determination of aromatic amines formed from azo dyes in textiles in combination with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) are described. The first one is based on microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) and the other approach involves salting-out-assisted liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE).

In situ derivatization coupled to microextraction by packed sorbentand gas chromatography for the automated determination ofhaloacetic acids in chlorinated water.

A novel analytical method is reported for the determination of monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid, and dibromoacetic acid. These are the five haloacetic acids (HAAs) for which the U.S.

Determination of chlorobenzenes in water samples based on fully automated microextraction by packed sorbent coupled with programmed temperature vaporization-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A fully automated method consisting of microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) coupled directly to programmed temperature vaporizer-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (PTV-GC-MS) has been developed to determine the 12 chlorobenzene congeners (chlorobenzene; 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-dichlorobenzene; 1,2,3-, 1,2,4-, and 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene; 1,2,3,4-, 1,2,3,5-, and 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene; pentachlorobenzene; and hexachlorobenzene) in water samples. The effects of the variables on MEPS extraction, using a C18 sorbent, and the instrumental PTV conditions were studied. The internal standard 1,4-dichlorobenzene d4 was used as a surrogate.

In situ aqueous derivatization as sample preparation technique for gas chromatographic determinations.

The use of derivatization reactions is a common practice in analytical laboratories. Although in many cases it is tedious and time-consuming, it does offer a good alternative for the determination of analytes not compatible to gas chromatography. Many of the reactions reported in the literature occur in organic medium.

Coupling of microextraction by packed sorbents with gas chromatography with ionic liquid stationary phases for the determination of haloanisoles in wines.

A new method based on the coupling of microextraction by packed sorbents (MEPS) and gas chromatography with ionic liquid stationary phases for the determination of four haloanisoles in wine matrices is proposed. The analytes were concentrated in a C18 barrel insert and needle (BIN), desorbed with a small volume of an organic solvent, and determined by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (GC-μECD). The influence of several factors on the efficiency of extraction, washing and elution steps was investigated.

A method based on microextraction by packed sorbent-programmed temperature vaporizer-fast gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of aromatic amines in environmental water samples.

We report a sensitive method for the determination of 15 aromatic amines in environmental water samples. They have been included in the list of priority pollutants in surface water by the European Union. The method is based on analyte enrichment using microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) and later analysis using programmed temperature vaporizer-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (PTV-GC-MS).