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We present a brief review of this year’s ASMS conference, which took place May 31–June 4, 2015, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Compact mass spectrometry, in combination with suitable sample introduction techniques-such as the atmospheric solids analysis probe, thin-layer chromatography, and classical liquid chromatography techniques-can be used effectively for the detection and quantification of cannabinoids and pesticides in cannabis-related material and contraband.

Ionic contaminants in the water used in UHPLC analyses with MS detection method lead to adduct formation and reduced analytical signals because of ion suppression. In MS, the preferred ion type is the protonated molecular ion, especially in peptide analysis, since the partially mobile proton charge enables more meaningful fragmentation analysis, as compared to a sodiated peptide ion. Moreover, the occurrence of protonated analyte signals indicates that solvents and reagents, as well as the MS instrument used in analyses, are clean and do not contribute any contaminating cationic components to the analytical process. In the experiments presented here, it was observed that the signal intensities of the protonated species decreased as the sodium ion concentration in the water increased. This was accompanied by an increase in the intensity of sodiated adducts.

The CEToolbox app is designed as a calculator for capillary electrophoresis.

This application note demonstrates the comprehensive 2D-LC analysis of different types of beer. Nontargeted, multisample analysis (fingerprinting analysis) enabled a classification of the different types of beer analyzed.

This application note presents a gradient method using a core–shell column for the determination of various substances in Bourbon vanilla extracts as well as in natural and artificial vanilla flavours. The aim is to compare the ingredients to achieve proof of the authenticity of Bourbon vanilla. By applying the Knauer AZURA Analytical system, a very short analysis time and low eluent consumption could be achieved. The high speed and reliability of the method makes it well-suited for routine analyses in food control.

Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2) are naturally occurring mycotoxins produced by fungi on agricultural crops. They are classified as carcinogenic and can pose a significant risk to human health if consumed. Although aflatoxin B1 is the most potent carcinogen, the main concern in milk is its hydroxylated metabolite, aflatoxin M1. To ensure the safety of milk, the US FDA established a tolerance of 0.5 µg/kg for aflatoxin M1 in milk, while the EU set a limit of 0.05 µg/kg in raw milk and 0.025 µg/kg in infant formula. A simple and effective method using polymeric solid-phase extaction (SPE) and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS–MS) is presented for the analysis of aflatoxins in milk at the low concentrations required.

Amino acids are of vital importance for human life. They serve as transport or storage media for metabolic pathways. Amino acids are components of protein-containing foods such as milk and milk products. Eight amino acids are thought to be essential for humans, meaning that they must be absorbed from foods containing animal proteins or a suitable combination of plant proteins, because the human body can’t synthesize them. Determination of the composition and content of amino acids in milk products is therefore an important measure in ensuring quality and nutritional value.

Click the title above to open the LCGC Europe July 2015 regular issue, Vol 28, No 7, in an interactive PDF format.

Click the title above to open the July 2015 issue of Current Trends in Mass Spectrometry, Volume 13, Number 3, in an interactive PDF format.

In this instalment, an overview of response surface methodology is presented and its application to developing extraction methods is discussed.

HSCTA

Ultra high resolution, accurate mass (UHRAM) mass spectrometry, based on the Thermo ScientificTM OrbitrapTM technology, is a powerful new approach to high throughput screening and quantitation in complex sample matrices. To learn more about how UHRAM is used in the Million Metabolome Project, an ambitious milestone for Exposome Research, LCGC talked with Dean Jones of Emory University.

Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary defines a myth as “an ill-founded belief held uncritically, especially by an interested group.” Could that group be misinformed chromatographers? Find out by clicking through the slideshow.

Temperature affects not only retention but also relative retention in gas chromatography (GC) and therefore, when we change temperature, we also change the selectivity of the separation. This is true as we alter the isothermal separation temperature, but also as we change the slope of the temperature program gradient.

Incognito has witnessed the rise of biochromatography and it looks exciting!

A new study hopes to highlight that poison was used as far back as 30,000 years ago. Dr Valentina Borgia, a specialist in Palaeolithic hunting weapons and Marie Curie Fellow at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research at the University of Cambridge, is using liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (LC–MS) to analyze prehistoric weaponry.

Scientists have published a novel method to detect multiple celiac disease-epitopes in wheat extracts simultaneously using liquid chromatography–multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (LC–MRM–MS).

Methadone, a drug prescribed for managing the symptoms of heroin withdrawal and chronic pain, has been linked to the formation of the carcinogenic compound N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in drinking water. Understanding which compounds contribute to NDMA formation in water could lead to tailored wastewater treatment approaches to remove the risk of contamination.

Novasep (Pompey, France) has signed two partnership agreements with Allied Laboratories (Kobe, Japan) and AR Brown (Tokyo, Japan) to extend its presence in Japan.

Anthias Consulting (Cambridgeshire, UK) is celebrating 10 years since it was founded in June 2005.

Sciex (Massachusetts, USA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National University of Singapore to promote the research of oncology biomarker discovery and development.

Click the title above to open The Column June 19, 2015 Europe & Asia issue, Volume 11, Number 11, in an interactive PDF format.

Click the title above to open The Column June 19, 2015 North American issue, Volume 11, Number 11, in an interactive PDF format.

Marine polychaetes are a common type of annelid worm widely spread in marine environments. Raquel Fernandez, University of Copenhagan, spoke to LCGC about her innovative approach to developing an untargeted method to monitor polychaetes and assess their potential use in environmental monitoring of oil spills.

Two antibody samples were characterized using column calibration and multi-detection SEC, and the results compared to show how multi-detection SEC provides more accurate data and a more complete characterization of the protein mixtures under study.