A team of researchers has developed a high-throughput analysis method for 192 diverse pesticides and 51 environmental contaminants (13 polychlorianted biphenyl [PCB] congeners, 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs], seven polybrominated diphenyl ethers [PBDE] congeners, and 17 novel flame retardants) in cattle, swine, and poultry meats. The team used a combination of low-pressure gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LP)GC–MS–MS and ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to tandem MS in the analysis.
A team of researchers has developed a high-throughput analysis method for 192 diverse pesticides and 51 environmental contaminants (13 polychlorianted biphenyl [PCB] congeners, 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs], seven polybrominated diphenyl ethers [PBDE] congeners, and 17 novel flame retardants) in cattle, swine, and poultry meats.1 The team used a combination of low-pressure gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LP)GC–MS–MS and ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to tandem MS in the analysis. Meat makes up a large proportion of the human diet, and is therefore one of the biggest routes of these contaminants into the body. Human exposure to these environmental contaminants is therefore typically through foods of animal origin. Sample preparation was based on the QuEChERS approach using filter-vial dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) cleanup. The extracts were analyzed in parallel by (LP)GC–MS–MS and UHPLC–MS–MS (10 min each). The method was validated at three spiking levels (10 ng/g, 25 ng/g, and 100 ng/g) at or below established tolerance levels in the sample types. Acceptable recoveries (70–120%) and relative standard deviations (RSDs) ≤ 20% were achieved for 200 (82%) of the analytes. The team applied the validated method to the analysis of real-world incurred meat samples, demonstrating the importance of the method for implementation in regulatory and commercial laboratories. Reference 1. Lijun Han, Yelena Sapozhnikova, and Steven J. Lehotay, Food Control66, 270–282 (2016).
The Next Frontier for Mass Spectrometry: Maximizing Ion Utilization
January 20th 2025In this podcast, Daniel DeBord, CTO of MOBILion Systems, describes a new high resolution mass spectrometry approach that promises to increase speed and sensitivity in omics applications. MOBILion recently introduced the PAMAF mode of operation, which stands for parallel accumulation with mobility aligned fragmentation. It substantially increases the fraction of ions used for mass spectrometry analysis by replacing the functionality of the quadrupole with high resolution ion mobility. Listen to learn more about this exciting new development.
Using Chromatography to Explore Fluorescent Bioactive Compounds in the Coelomic Fluid of Earthworms
February 6th 2025A study aiming to identify fluorescent bioactive compounds in the coelomic fluid of earthworms, as well as to investigate their structural and functional characteristics for possible use in biomedical applications, utilized a variety of chromatographic techniques.
The Complexity of Oligonucleotide Separations
January 9th 2025Peter Pellegrinelli, Applications Specialist at Advanced Materials Technology (AMT) explains the complexity of oligonucleotide separations due to the unique chemical properties of these molecules. Issues such as varying length, sequence complexity, and hydrophilic-hydrophobic characteristics make efficient separations difficult. Separation scientists are addressing these challenges by modifying mobile phase compositions, using varying ion-pairing reagents, and exploring alternative separation modes like HILIC and ion-exchange chromatography. Due to these complexities, AMT has introduced the HALO® OLIGO column, which offers high-resolution, fast separations through its innovative Fused-Core® technology and high pH stability. Alongside explaining the new column, Peter looks to the future of these separations and what is next to come.