In this work, the multiclass detection of explosives and related compounds has been studied by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry by means of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOFMS) operated in the negative ion mode, using dielectric barrier discharge ionization (DBDI). Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation was performed using water-methanol mobile phase without any modifier, although the effect of ammonium acetate was studied. DBD plasma was generated by applying a square wave voltage of 2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlthough electrospray ionization (ESI) remains the gold standard ionization source for LC-MS, it exhibits two main limitations: the occurrence of matrix effects and the limited ionization coverage towards nonpolar compounds. Dielectric barrier discharge ionization (DBDI) has gained attraction in recent years as a versatile ionization method in different applications and formats. Here, we report a thorough evaluation of DBDI as ionization interface for LC-MS, which reveals attractive advantages over ESI and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) provided its singular ionization mechanism versatility.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) have been used as soft ionization sources (DBDI) for organic mass spectrometry (DBDI-MS) for approximately ten years. Helium-based DBDI is often used because of its good ionization efficiency, low ignition voltage, and homogeneous plasma conditions. Argon needs much higher ignition voltages than helium when the same discharge geometry is used.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnalytical methods based on ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS) combine the classic outstanding performance of mass spectrometry in terms of sensitivity and selectivity along with convenient features related to the lack of sample workup required. In this work, the performance of different mass spectrometry-based methods has been assessed for the direct analyses of virgin olive oil for quality purposes. Two sets of experiments have been setup: (1) direct analysis of untreated olive oil using AIMS methods such as Low-Temperature Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LTP-MS) or paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS); or alternatively (2) the use of atmospheric pressure ionization (API) mass spectrometry by direct infusion of a diluted sample through either atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) or electrospray (ESI) ionization sources.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe feasibility of accurate-mass multi-residue screening methods using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) using time-of-flight mass spectrometry has been evaluated, including over 625 multiclass food contaminants as case study. Aspects such as the selectivity and confirmation capability provided by HRMS with different acquisition modes (full-scan or full-scan combined with collision induced dissociation (CID) with no precursor ion isolation), and chromatographic separation along with main limitations such as sensitivity or automated data processing have been examined. Compound identification was accomplished with retention time matching and accurate mass measurements of the targeted ions for each analyte (mainly (de)protonated molecules).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA multicommuted flow injection method has been developed for the determination of phenolic species in virgin olive oil samples. The method is based on the inhibitory effect of antioxidants on a stable and colored radical cation formation from the colorless compound N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DMPD(•+)) in acidic medium in the presence of Fe(III) as oxidant. The signal inhibition by phenolic species and other antioxidants is proportional to their concentration in the olive oil sample.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this article, a screening method for the determination of 200 sport drugs in human urine has been developed using liquid-chromatography electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOFMS). The chromatographic separation of the targeted doping agents was carried out by fast liquid chromatography using a C18 column (4.6×50 mm) with 1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Chromatogr A
July 2014
This article describes the development and validation of a liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of over 400 multi-class priority and emerging pollutants with different physicochemical properties in environmental waters (surface water and wastewater). The proposed approach is based on the use of a database consisting of retention time/exact mass (of selected ions) pairs implemented with specific software for data analysis. The targeted list comprises 430 contaminants belonging to different compound categories, including 105 multiclass pharmaceuticals (analgesics/anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, lipid regulators, β-blockers, antiepileptic/psychiatrics ulcer healings, diuretics, hormones and bronchodilatadors), life-style products (caffeine, nicotine), 21 drugs of abuse and their metabolites, 279 pesticides and some of their more relevant metabolites, nitrosamines, flame retardants, plasticizers and perfluorinated compounds.
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