[Analysis of Free Pantothenic Acid in Foods by HPLC and LC-MS/MS].

A simple and reliable analytical method has been developed for the determination of pantothenic acid in food. For the high-protein food, 20 mL of water was added to 2 g of sample, and after homogenization extraction, 1 mL of 15% zinc sulfate solution was added, mixed well, centrifuged, and the supernatant was filtered to make the test solution. For the low-protein food, 20 mL of 1% formic acid solution was added to 2 g of sample, homogenized, extracted, centrifuged, and the supernatant was filtered to make the test solution. The HPLC separation was carried out on a L-column2 ODS column with 0.02 mol/L phosphate solution (pH 3.0)- acetonitrile (95 : 5) as the mobile phase, and detected at 200 nm. The LC-MS/MS conditions were L-column2 ODS as the separation column, 5 mmol/L ammonium formate (containing 0.01% formic acid)-methanol (85 : 15) as the mobile phase, and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was used for detection. The recoveries of pantothenic acid in milk powder and nutritional food products were more than 88% with high precision. As a result of analyzing commetrcially available foods labeled as containing pantothenic acid, analytical values almost identical to the labeled values were obtained, and a high correlation was observed between the values obtained by HPLC and LC-MS/MS.

Putative Epimutagens in Maternal Peripheral and Cord Blood Samples Identified Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

The regulation of transcription and genome stability by epigenetic systems are crucial for the proper development of mammalian embryos. Chemicals that disturb epigenetic systems are termed epimutagens. We previously performed chemical screening that focused on heterochromatin formation and DNA methylation status in mouse embryonic stem cells and identified five epimutagens: diethyl phosphate (DEP), mercury (Hg), cotinine, selenium (Se), and octachlorodipropyl ether (S-421). Here, we used human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to confirm the effects of 20 chemicals, including the five epimutagens, detected at low concentrations in maternal peripheral and cord blood samples. Of note, these individual chemicals did not exhibit epimutagenic activity in hiPSCs. However, because the fetal environment contains various chemicals, we evaluated the effects of combined exposure to chemicals (DEP, Hg, cotinine, Se, and S-421) on hiPSCs. The combined exposure caused a decrease in the number of heterochromatin signals and aberrant DNA methylation status at multiple gene loci in hiPSCs. The combined exposure also affected embryoid body formation and neural differentiation from hiPSCs. Therefore, DEP, Hg, cotinine, Se, and S-421 were defined as an "epimutagen combination" that is effective at low concentrations as detected in maternal peripheral and cord blood.

Inter-laboratory study of an LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of fumonisin B1, B2 and B3 in corn.

To validate an LC-MS/MS method using a strong anion exchange cartridge for simultaneous determination of fumonisin B1, B2 and B3 in corn, an inter-laboratory study was performed in 9 laboratories using one fumonisin-negative corn sample, three spiked corn samples (FB1: 100-1,000 µg/kg, FB2 and FB3: 10-100 µg/kg) and two naturally contaminated corn samples. The recoveries were in the ranges of 79.7-87.2% for FB1, 78.6-103.2% for FB2 and 80.1-92.8% for FB3. The relative standard deviations for repeatability (RSDr) ranged from 3.7 to 8.0% for FB1, from 2.6 to 15.3% for FB2 and from 4.3 to 9.7% for FB3. The relative standard deviations for reproducibility (RSDR) for FB1, FB2 and FB3 were in the ranges of 6.3-10.1%, 5.9-18.7% and 9.3-16.0%, respectively. The HorRat values for all analytes ranged from 0.2 to 0.9. The difference of the trueness between the two kinds of commercially available anion exchange cartridges used in this study was not significant (p>0.05). Surveillance for fumonisins in corn grits was performed using the validated method. All of the samples were contaminated with fumonisins and the mean concentrations for FB1, FB2 and FB3 were 118.1, 37.3 and 17.9 µg/kg, respectively. These results indicated that the method for simultaneous determination of FB1, FB2 and FB3 in corn was successfully developed and validated.

Inter-laboratory study of an LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of deoxynivalenol and its acetylated derivatives, 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol in wheat.

To validate an LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of deoxynivalenol (DON) and its acetylated derivatives, 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3ADON) and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (15ADON), in wheat using a multifunctional column, an inter-laboratory study was performed in 9 laboratories using one blank wheat sample, three spiked wheat samples (10, 50, 150 µg/kg) and one naturally contaminated wheat sample. The recoveries ranged from 98.8 to 102.6% for DON, 89.3 to 98.7% for 3ADON, and from 84.9 to 90.0% for 15ADON. The relative standard deviations for repeatability (RSDR) and reproducibility (RSDR) of DON were in the ranges of 7.2-11.3% and 9.5-22.6%, respectively. For 3ADON, the RSDR ranged from 5.3 to 9.5% and the RSDR ranged from 16.1 to 18.0%, while for 15ADON, the RSDR ranged from 6.2 to 11.2% and the RSDR ranged from 17.0 to 27.2%. The HorRat values for the three analytes ranged from 0.4 to 1.2. These results validate this method for the simultaneous determination of DON and its acetylated derivatives, 3ADON and 15ADON.

Epigenetic assessment of environmental chemicals detected in maternal peripheral and cord blood samples.

Epigenetic alteration is an emerging paradigm underlying the long-term effects of chemicals on gene functions. Various chemicals, including organophosphate insecticides and heavy metals, have been detected in the human fetal environment. Epigenetics by DNA methylation and histone modifications, through dynamic chromatin remodeling, is a mechanism for genome stability and gene functions. To investigate whether such environmental chemicals may cause epigenetic alterations, we studied the effects of selected chemicals on morphological changes in heterochromatin and DNA methylation status in mouse ES cells (ESCs). Twenty-five chemicals, including organophosphate insecticides, heavy metals and their metabolites, were assessed for their effect on the epigenetic status of mouse ESCs by monitoring heterochromatin stained with 4¢,6-diamino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). The cells were surveyed after 48 or 96 h of exposure to the chemicals at the serum concentrations of cord blood. The candidates for epigenetic mutagens were examined for the effect on DNA methylation at genic regions. Of the 25 chemicals, five chemicals (diethyl phosphate (DEP), mercury (Hg), cotinine, selenium (Se) and octachlorodipropyl ether (S-421)) caused alterations in nuclear staining, suggesting that they affected heterochromatin conditions. Hg and Se caused aberrant DNA methylation at gene loci. Furthermore, DEP at 0.1 ppb caused irreversible heterochromatin changes in ESCs, and DEP-, Hg- and S-421-exposed cells also exhibited impaired formation of the embryoid body (EB), which is an in vitro model for early embryos. We established a system for assessment of epigenetic mutagens. We identified environmental chemicals that could have effects on the human fetus epigenetic status.

Determination of proline enantiomers in honey and royal jelly by LC-UV.

The chiral separation and quantification of D-proline and L-proline in honey and royal jelly were examined by LC with UV detection. Most of the endogenous compounds existing in honey, such as sugars, were removed by using SPE cartridges containing C18 and strong cation-exchange sorbent. Other components, such as primary amino acids, were also removed by two-step derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) and 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC-CI). The components that were derivatized with OPA were separated from proline with a C18 cartridge. Proline was then converted into an FMOC derivative that could be subsequently measured by LC-UV. Sufficient chiral separation of D-proline and L-proline was achieved with an LC chiral column made of a beta-cyclodextrin phase in the polar organic-phase mode. The average recoveries of D-proline and L-proline from honey and royal jelly were in the range of 81.3-98.6% (RSD of < 1.8%). When this method was applied to commercial honey and royal jelly samples, L-proline was detected at concentrations of 369-1930 microg/g, whereas D-proline was not detected.

Preparative purification of gentamicin components using high-speed counter-current chromatography coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry.

We developed a useful and preparative method based on high-speed counter-current chromatography with mass spectrometry (HSCCC/MS) to purify gentamicin C1a, C2/2a and C1 from standard powder. The analytes were purified on the HSCCC model CCC-1000 (multi-layer coil planet centrifuge) with a volatile two-phase solvent system composed of n-butanol/10% aqueous ammonia solution (50:50, v/v) and detected on an LCMS-2020EV quadrupole mass spectrometer fitted with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source system in positive ionization following scan mode (m/z 100-500). The HSCCC/ESI-MS peaks indicated that gentamicin C1a (m/z 450: [M+H](+)), C2/2a (m/z 464: [M+H](+)) and C1 (m/z 478: [M+H](+)) have the peak resolution values of 1.3 and 1.7 from 30 mg of loaded gentamicin powder. The HSCCC yielded 3.9 mg of gentamicin C1a, 12.6 mg of gentamicin C2/2a and 12.0 mg of gentamicin C1. These purified substances were analyzed by LC/MS with scan positive-mode. Based on the LC/MS chromatograms and spectra of the fractions, analytes were estimated to be over 95% pure. These gentamicin isomers of C1a, C2/2a and C1 were evaluated for their antibacterial activities. The overall results indicate that this approach of HSCCC/MS is a powerful technique for the purification of gentamicin components.

[Examination of cause of failure to taxon-specific DNA was not detected from bifun (rice vermicelli) using processing model experiment].

In the inspection of genetically modified rice, rice taxon-specific DNA could not be detected in processed rice food (bifun: rice vermicelli). The effects of using PCR the ratio of rice powder content and temperature of processing on the detection of taxon-specific DNA were examined by means of processing model experiments using cornstarch with 0, 2, 5, 10% rice powder by weight. Cornstarch and rice powder were blended with water and subjected to heating, steam-treatment, and autoclaving. The rice taxon-specific DNA was detectable in 2% rice powder following heat and steam treatments. After autoclaving, rice taxon-specific DNA was detected only in the 10% rice powder product. In the processing model experiment using rice powder, it was found that autoclaving caused severe DNA degradation.

[Sample preprocessing method for residual quinolones in honey using immunoaffinity resin].

A sample preparation method was developed for determination of quinolones in honey using immunoaffinity resin. For this purpose, an immunoaffinity resin for quinolones was prepared by coupling a quinolone-specific monoclonal antibody to agarose resin. Honey samples diluted with phosphate buffer were reacted with immunoaffinity resin. After the resin was washed, quinolones were eluted with glycine-HCl. Quinolones in the eluate were determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection. No interfering peak was found on the chromatograms of honey samples. The recoveries of quinolones from samples were over 70% at fortification levels of 20 ng/g (for norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin) and 10 ng/g (for danofloxacin). The quantification limits of quinolones were 2 ng/g. This sample preprocessing method using immunoaffinity resin was found to be effective and suitable for determining residual quinolones in honey.

[Analysis of chlorophenol compounds contaminating food by LC/MS].

A simple method using a liquid chromatograph with a mass spectrometer has been developed for the determination of chlorophenols in food. mass spectral acquisition was performed in the negative mode by applying sungle ion monitoring. In LC separation, Cadenza CD-C18 and 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate-methanol were used as the column and mobile phase, respectively. Chlorophenols in food were extracted with methanol, and cleaned up with an Oasis HLB cartridge. The quantification limits were 0.2 ng/g for 4-chlorophenol, 2 ng/g for 2,6-dichlorophenol, 1 ng/g for 2,4-dichlorophenol and 0.5 ng/g for 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. The average rocoveries of chlorophenols from food at the spiked level of 20 ng/g were in the range of 70-85%. The relative standard deviations of all examined compounds were within 10%.

[Simple and rapid microbiological method for determination of residual antibacterials in meat].

A simple and rapid screening method using bioassay for the simultaneous analysis of antibacterials (penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, tetracyclines, quinolones, etc.) in meat has been developed. A 5 g sample was homogenized with 5 mL of methanol, and the homogenate was centrifuged for 10 min with 3,000 rpm. The pulp disk method with Bacillus subtilis BGA (Antibiotic Medium 5 (pH 8) and 8 (pH 6)), Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341 and Geobacillus stearothermophilus as test organisms was employed for the assay of the antibacterials. Typical antibacterials (penicillin G, ampicillin, cefapirin, cefalexin, erythromycin, spiramycin, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, streptomycin, dihydrostreptomycin, enrofloxacin and oxolinic acid) were detected at levels of ca. 0.005-2.5 microg/g in meat. Therefore, we recommend this proposed screening method for routine analysis of residual antibacterials in livestock products.

[Determination of nitrofurazone in livestock products and seafoods by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry].

A sensitive and selective method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the determination of nitrofurazone (NFZ) in swine muscle, swine liver, chicken muscle, chicken liver, egg, eel, yellowtail and shrimp has been developed. The drug was extracted with 0.2% metaphosphoric acid-methanol (6 : 4), and the extracts were cleaned up on an Oasis HLB cartridge (200 mg). The extracts were analyzed by LC-MS/MS using electrospray ionizationin the negative ion mode. The LC separation was performed on a Hypersil Gold C18 column (15 cmx2.1 mm i.d.) with a gradient system of 0.01% formic acid-acetonitrile as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. The quantitative and confirmatory determination of NFZ was performed by selected reaction monitoring (SRM). The calibration graph for NFZ was rectilinear from 0.2 to 100 ng/mL with SRM. The recoveries of NFZ from samples fortified at 1 and 10 ng/g were 79.6-106.8%, and quantification limit was 0.2 ng/g for the drug. This is well below the detection limit (1 ng/g) set by the Japanese Food Sanitation Law.

[Analysis of chloramphenicol in propolis extract by LC/MS/MS].

A quantitative analysis method using LC/MS/MS of chloramphenicol (CAP) in propolis extract (ethanol extract) has been established. Extraction of CAP from propolis extract was performed by adding water, followed by salting-out with sodium chloride. Through this procedure, the wax components of propolis extract could be effectively removed. LC separation was performed with a reverse-phase column (Mightysil RP-18 GP Aqua, 2.0 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm), using 10 mmol/L of ammonium acetate-acetonitrile (75 : 25) as a mobile phase. The flow rate was 0.2 mL/min. Ionization was performed by electrospray ionization (ESI) in the negative mode. The detection and quantification limits of CAP in propolis extract were 0.05 and 0.15 ng/g, respectively, and the recovery rate (spiked CAP level was 0.5 ng/g) was 111.2%. When eight samples of propolis extract products on the market were analyzed using this method, CAP was not detected (N.D.) in any of the samples.

[Determination of diphenyl and o-phenylphenol in agricultural products by GC/MS].

A simple determination method of diphenyl (DP) and o-phenylphenol (OPP) in agricultural products by GC/MS was examined. DP and OPP were extracted with ethyl acetate in the presence of anh. sodium sulfate. After addition of n-butanol, the extract solution was concentrated. Clean-up was achieved by shaking with graphitized bulk carbon (Supelclean ENVI-Carb). Addition of polyethylene glycol sharpened the OPP peak on GC/MS analysis. The recoveries from 9 kinds of agricultural products spiked at 0.01 and 0.5 microg/g each were mostly in the range of 70 to 120%, except for 50% recovery of OPP from barley spiked at 0.01 microg/g. The quantification limits (S/N > or =10) of DP and OPP were 0.0013 and 0.005 microg/g (0.0025 and 0.01 microg/g in barley and soybean), respectively.

[Simultaneous determination of pesticide residues in crops by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry].

A simultaneous method using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) was developed for the determination of pesticide residues in crops. Mass spectral acquisition was performed in the positive mode by applying multiple reaction monitoring. In LC separation, an Atlantis dC18 Column was used with acetic acid-ammonium acetate-acetonitrile as the mobile phase. Pesticide residues in crops were extracted with acetone, and cleaned up by liquid-liquid separation with saturated salt solution and hexane, followed by an ENVI-Carb cartridge. The quantification limits of compounds in crops were below 5 ng/g. Eighty compounds were obtained with recoveries ranging from 60 to 130% at the level of 50 ng/g with RSD (%) of less than 15%. Fifty crop samples were analyzed by the developed method. Seven pesticide residues were detected in nine crops.

[Analysis of chloramphenicol in honey and royal jelly by LC/MS/MS].

A sensitive and selective method using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) was developed for the determination of chloramphenicol (CAP) in honey and royal jelly. Mass spectral acquisition was performed in the negative mode by applying multiple reaction monitoring. In LC separation, Mightyl RP-18GP and 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate-acetonitrile were used as the column and mobile phase, respectively. CAP in honey samples was diluted with water, while CAP in royal jelly was extracted with 1% metaphosphoric acid-methanol (4 : 6). The solutions were cleaned up with an Oasis HLB cartridge. The quantification limits of CAP in honey and royal jelly were 0.3 ng/g and 1.5 ng/g, respectively. The recoveries of CAP from both honey and royal jelly at the quantification limits were over 92%. Twenty honey products and seven royal jelly products were analyzed by the developed method. CAP was detected in one honey product at 0.6 ng/g and in six royal jelly products at the level of 1.5-17.8 ng/g. These results show that the developed method has satisfactory sensitivity selectivity and is useful for the determination of CAP residues in honey and royal jelly.

[Analysis of tetracyclines in honey and royal jelly by LC/MS/MS].

A simple and accurate method using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) was developed for the determination of tetracyclines (TCs), i.e., oxytetracycline (OTC), chlortetracycline (CTC) and tetracycline (TC), in honey and royal jelly. Mass spectral acquisition was performed in the positive mode. In LC separation, L-column ODS and 0.01% formic acid-acetonitrile were used as the column and mobile phase, respectively. TCs in a honey sample were diluted with water, while TCs in royal jelly were extracted with 2% metaphosphoric acid-methanol (6:4). They were cleaned up with Oasis HLB and Sep Pak C18 cartridges, respectively. The quantification limits of TC, OTC, and CTC were 5, 5, and 10 ng/g, respectively, while those in royal jelly were 25, 25, and 50 ng/g, respectively. The recoveries of TCs from both honey and royal jelly were 75-120%.

[Study on positive control for GM papaya (55-1) detection method by GUS (beta-glucuronidase) assay].

A suitable positive control was investigated for histochemical assay (GUS-examining method) to detect genetically modified (GM) papaya (55-1), currently undergoing a safety assessment in Japan. Six different kinds of test papers were soaked with beta-glucuronidase solution and examined for GUS activity. The test papers made of nylon and glass fiber turned blue, and were stable for fifteen months at -20 degrees C. They are concluded to be useful as positive controls in the GUS-examining method for inspection of GM papaya (55-1).

Inhibitory effects of fungal bis(naphtho-gamma-pyrone) derivatives on nitric oxide production by a murine macrophage-like cell line, RAW 264.7, activated by lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma.

Inhibitory effects of six fungal bis(naphtho-gamma-pyrone) derivatives on nitric oxide (NO) production by a murine macrophage-like cell line, RAW 264.7, which was activated by lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma were examined. Among these derivatives, chaetochromin (4) (IC(50): 0.8 microM), cephalochromin (1) (IC(50) 1.5 microM), and dihydroisoustilaginoidin A (6) (IC(50) 2.8 microM) exhibited strong inhibitory activity. The bis(naphtho-gamma-pyrone) derivatives did not affect the enzyme activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). However, these derivatives significantly reduced both the induction of iNOS protein and iNOS mRNA expression. These results suggest that the bis(naphtho-gamma-pyrone) derivatives have the pharmacologic ability to suppress NO production by activated macrophages.