Rapid analysis of beta-agonists in urine by thermospray tandem mass spectrometry.

A method is described for the analysis of beta-agonists in urine of cattle. The method uses solid-phase extraction (SPE), followed by analysis of the resulting extract by flow injection thermospray tandem mass spectrometry (TSP-MS-MS). Sample preparation is performed using a mixed-bed SPE procedure using a sorbent having both hydrophobic and ionic properties. MS-MS analysis following thermospray ionization, is performed in single-reaction monitoring parent mode. In that way isotope dilution can be used for quantitation of clenbuterol. Data are presented on precision and accuracy for clenbuterol and related compounds. Furthermore, data acquisition was performed in full-scan neutral loss mode to indicate the suitability of flow injection analysis (FIA)-TSP-MS-MS for exploratory analysis. Detection of beta-agonists in this mode is based on the presence of the N-tert.-butyl-beta-ethanolamino moiety and, in that respect, detection of known as well as unknown compounds having this moiety will take place. This feature is exemplified by the analysis of samples containing several compounds.

Quantititative determination of glycosylated and aglycon isoprenoid cytokinins at sub-picomolar levels by microcolumn liquid chromatography combined with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry.

Microcolumn liquid chromatography (microLC) combined with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry is used for the determination of intact glycosylated cytokinins and the corresponding aglycons at picomole and sub-picomole levels in plant tissue. Routine analysis was done on C8-bonded silica using a methanol-water gradient. Data acquisition was performed by multiple reaction monitoring. Quantification was carried out by using isotopically labelled analogues and applying linear regression to the response factor versus concentration data. For routine analysis a calibration range from 0.5 to 10 pmole injected on-column was used. The limits of detection ranged from 50 to 100 fmole injected on-column. The microLC procedure was used to analyse plant tissue extracts from transgenic homozygote and hemizygote as well as wild-type Nicotiana tabacum species, and cauliflower samples. The data were compared with results obtained by conventional immunoassay and a satisfactory correlation was found. Validation data are presented.

Development, validation and implementation of a receptor based bioassay capable of detecting a broad range of beta-agonist drugs in animal feedingstuffs.

A bioassay was developed for the detection of a broad range of beta-agonist compounds in animal feeds. A solubilised beta2-adrenoceptor was utilised as the binding protein in the assay. This protein was found to be highly stable when stored at 80 degrees C. The assay was developed and initially validated to determine the sensitivity and relative selectivity against a panel of commonly used beta-agonist compounds. It was also shown that when beta-agonists were present as cocktails in samples a pronounced synergistic effect could be measured. The method was further validated according to EC Decision 2002/657 and proved capable of detecting 250ng clenbuterol equivalents per gram of sample. This is well below the quantities normally associated with beta-agonist medicated feeds. The beta2-adrenoceptor used in the study only failed to bind the compound zilpaterol, raising doubts as to whether this compound is a true beta2-adrenergic drug.

Screening for estrogen residues in calf urine: comparison of a validated yeast estrogen bioassay and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Within the European Union, the control for residues of illegal hormones in food-producing animals is based on urine analysis for a few target analytes using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and/or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Recently, we developed a robust yeast bioassay screening tool for estrogens, which was validated as a qualitative screening method in accordance with EC decision 2002/657/EC. In this study, we present long-term performance data and a comparison of urine data obtained with this bioassay, and data from an established gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) confirmatory analysis method. More than 120 calf urine samples from a controlled reference experiment were analysed using both protocols. According to the GC/MS/MS method, only the natural estrogens 17alpha-estradiol and estrone were present in the non-compliant samples. The bioassay was less sensitive than GC/MS/MS for the relatively weak estrogenic compound 17alpha-estradiol, in accordance with expectations. Assuming that application of the mass spectrometric method is considered beyond reasonable doubt, the bioassay performed very well: only 5.6% of the calf urine samples found compliant in GC/MS/MS were screened false suspect in the bioassay screening method. The bioassay results of non-compliant urine samples under routine conditions were as predicted, taking into account the relative estrogenicity of the natural estrogens 17alpha-estradiol and estrone vs. 17beta-estradiol. Only one sample was screened false negative for 17alpha-estradiol and estrone. Application of this fast and simple estrogen bioassay in routine surveillance and control can significantly reduce GC/MS/MS sample workload and allow higher percentages of animals to be screened for potential hormone abuse.

Confirmatory analysis of clenbuterol using two different derivatives simultaneously.

To meet the requirements of the European Community for confirmatory analysis of clenbuterol using low-resolution mass spectrometry, usually two different techniques (i.e. electron impact and chemical ionization) have to be applied to confirm unambiguously its presence in extracts of urine. This paper describes the application of two different derivatives and the simultaneous analysis of these two different derivatives in one gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis. With the proposed combination of techniques, Community requirements can more easily be met in only one analytical run. Examples of the analysis of some urine samples are presented, as well as data on linearity, repeatability and equivalence of the combined technique to separate determinations.

Possibilities for confirmatory analysis of some beta-agonists using two different derivatives simultaneously.

A previously described method for the confirmatory analysis of clenbuterol with chemical ionization GC-MS was extended to fit more beta-agonists. The method has been used routinely for about one year and a large number of samples have been analysed according to the described procedure. This paper summarizes the results obtained with this method with regard to clenbuterol and furthermore discussion is focused on applicability to beta-agonists other than clenbuterol with respect to the European Community requirements for confirmatory analysis.