Organophosphate Triesters and Their Transformation Products in Sediments of Mangrove Wetlands in the Beibu Gulf, South China Sea.

As emerging pollutants, organophosphate esters (OPEs) have been reported in coastal environments worldwide. Nevertheless, information on the occurrence and ecological risks of OPEs, especially the related transformation products, in mangrove wetlands is scarce. For the first time, the coexistence and distribution of OP triesters and their transformation products in three mangrove wetlands in the Beibu Gulf were investigated using ultrasonication and solid-phase extraction, followed by UHPLC-MS/MS detection. The studied OPEs widely existed in all the sampling sites, with the total concentrations ranging from 6.43 ng/g dry weight (dw) to 39.96 ng/g dw and from 3.33 ng/g dw to 22.50 ng/g dw for the OP triesters and transformation products, respectively. Mangrove wetlands tend to retain more OPEs than the surrounding coastal environment. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the TOC was not the sole factor in determining the OPEs' distribution, and degradation was not the main source of the transformation products in mangrove sediments in the Beibu Gulf. The ecological risks of selected OPEs for different organisms were also assessed, revealing a medium to high risk posed by OP diesters to organisms. The levels or coexistence of OPEs and their metabolites in mangroves need constant monitoring, and more toxicity data should be further studied to assess the effect on normal aquatic organisms.

Simultaneous screening of 33 restricted substances in polymer materials using pyrolysis/thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The purpose of this study was to offer a quick and efficient method to screen for multiple restricted additives in polymer materials. A solvent-free pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was developed to simultaneously screen 33 restricted substances, comprising 7 phthalates, 15 bromine flame retardants, 4 phosphorus flame retardants, 4 ultraviolet stabilizers, and 3 bisphenols. The pyrolysis technique and temperatures affecting additive desorption were studied. Under optimized conditions, the instrument sensitivity was confirmed using in-house reference materials at concentrations of 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg. The linear range was between 100 and 1000 mg/kg in 26 compounds, and in the other compounds it was between 300 and 1000 mg/kg. In this study, in-house reference materials, certified reference materials, and proficiency testing samples were used for method verification. The relative standard deviation of this method was less than 15%, and recoveries ranged from 75.9 to 107.1% for most of the compounds, with a few exceeding 120%. Furthermore, the screening method was verified with 20 plastic products used in daily life and 170 recycled plastic particle samples from imports. The experimental results showed that phthalates were the main additives in plastic products, and among 170 recycled plastic particle samples, 14 samples were found to contain restricted additives. The main additives in recycled plastics were bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, di-iso-nonyl phthalate, hexabromocyclododecane, and 2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6,6'-decabromodiphenyl ether at concentrations between 374 and 34785 mg/kg, except for some results that exceeded the maximum measured value of the instrument. Compared with traditional methods, an important advantage is that this method simultaneously tests for 33 additives without sample pretreatment, covering a variety of additives limited by laws and regulations, and therefore can provide more comprehensive and thorough inspections.

Post-Chromatographic Dicationic Ionic Liquid-Based Charge Complexation for Highly Sensitive Analysis of Anionic Compounds by Ultra-High-Performance Supercritical Fluid Chromatography Coupled with Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

A green analytical strategy has been developed for the analysis of 10 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) incorporating supramolecular solvent (SUPRAS)-based extraction and ultra-high-performance supercritical fluid chromatography (UHPSFC)-tandem mass spectrometry. The SUPRAS was prepared through self-assembly of reverse micelles by mixing heptanol, tetrahydrofuran, and water at optimized volume ratios. An imidazolium-based germinal dicationic ionic liquid (DIL), 1,1-bis(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl) butylene difluoride ([C4(MIM)2]F2), was dissolved in the make-up solvent of UHPSFC and introduced post-column but before the electrospray ionization source. After chromatographic separation on a Torus DIOL analytical column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 µm), the PFC analytes associated with the DIL reagent through charge complexation. The formation of positively charged complexes resulted in improved ionization efficiency and analytical sensitivity. Enhancement in signal intensity by one to two magnitudes was achieved in the positive ionization mode compared to the negative ionization mode without using the dicationic ion-pairing reagent. The developed protocol was applied to 32 samples of real textiles and 6 samples of real food packaging materials, which exhibited great potential for the analysis of anionic compounds.

Novel approach for the rapid screening of banned aromatic amines in dyed textiles using a chromogenic method.

A novel and simple method utilizing a chromogenic reaction on filter paper is introduced for the rapid screening of banned aromatic amines released from azo dyes. The proposed method involves the sample preparation protocols outlined by the current standard method and the chromogenic reaction of extracted aromatic amines on filter paper. Based on the principle of the reaction between primary amines and aldehydes, p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (DMAB) was used as the chromogenic reagent for the rapid screening of 24 carcinogenic aromatic amines and aniline without any chromatographic instruments under optimized experimental conditions. The detection limit for all the aromatic amines in this study was less than 15 mg/kg. A total of 727 dyed textile samples were analyzed using both the present standard method and the proposed method simultaneously. Using the proposed method, a total of 471 samples did not require further instrumental analysis, which can dramatically save instrumental detection time (61.2%), can decrease instrumental detection costs, and can avoid the use of large amounts of toxic reagents. The proposed method has been applied to detect banned aromatic amines in some inspection institutions and dye factories and has large social and economic benefits. Graphical abstract Chromogenic reaction methods.

[Determination of organophosphorus flame retardants in textile wastewater by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry].

A rapid method for the determination of five organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) in textile wastewater was established by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) based on solidification of floating organic drop (SFO) coupled with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The analytes were extracted from the water samples by SFO-DLLME, which was performed using a mixture of an extraction solvent that was less dense than water, 1-undecanol, and a dispersive solvent, methanol. The influences of the SFO-DLLME parameters on the extraction efficiencies were studied. 1-Undecanol (extraction solvent, 400 µL) and methanol (dispersive solvent, 300 µL) were added to textile wastewater (containing 2 g NaCl) with pH between 6 and 9, and the solution was shaken for 2 min. Under optimum conditions, the linear ranges of the proposed method were from 2 µg/L to 100 µg/L with correlation coefficients (R2) above 0.99 for all the analytes. The limits of detection (S/N=3) ranged from 2 µg/L to 5 µg/L. The precision of the method was evaluated in terms of repeatability; the relative standard deviations varied from 2.7% to 11.2% (n=6). The relative recoveries ranged from 71.6% to 117.6% for all analytes. Only 3 of the 11 selected samples were tested positive for OPFRs, and the total concentrations of OPFRs in them were in the range of 2.6-3.4 µg/L. Hence, this method is accurate, environmentally friendly, fast, and convenient for the routine analysis of OPFRs in textile wastewater.

Suspect screening of 200 hazardous substances in plastic toys using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

There is an urgent need for the development of efficient and comprehensive analytical methods for organic chemical compounds due to their increasing number and diversity in children's toy products. The presence of these chemicals in toys poses an extreme risk for the health and development of children. In this study, an analytical methodology has been developed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS). This hybrid instrumentation together with an in-house accurate-mass database and a mass spectral library, allows for wide-scope screening and identification of hazardous substances in plastic toys. A total number of 200 compounds belonging to eight chemical families were investigated, such as coloring agents, plasticizers, fragrance allergens, nitrosamines, primary aromatic amines, flame retardants, perfluorinated compounds, and endocrine disruptors. Following a straightforward and efficient dissolution/precipitation method for sample preparation, chemical screening and confirmation were conducted by comparing the experimentally measured exact mass, retention time, and isotopic pattern with the accurate-mass database and by matching the acquired MS/MS spectra against the mass spectral library. The matrix effect, linearity, sensitivity, precision, and recovery of the proposed method were properly evaluated. The obtained limits of detection (LODs) and quantitation (LOQs) were in the range of 0.01-0.98 mg kg-1 and 0.03-2.99 mg kg-1, respectively. The applicability of the developed protocol was verified through the analysis of 55 real plastic toy products.

[Determination of trace azo dyes in textile wastewater by liquid-liquid extraction and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry].

An efficient method based on liquid-liquid extraction and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed for the determination of trace azo dyes in textile wastewater. The azo dyes were reduced to aromatic amines by sodium dithionite under alkaline conditions. The main pretreatment conditions that affected the extraction efficiency were optimized. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the linear ranges of this method were as follows:0.05-10 µg/L for 13 aromatic amines; 0.05-5 µg/L for 7 aromatic amines; and 20-100 µg/L for 2,4-diaminoanisole. The correlation coefficients were in the range of 0.996-0.999. The limits of detection reached 0.05 µg/L for all the 20 aromatic amines, and the detection limit of 2,4-diaminoanisole was 20 µg/L. Actual wastewater-spiked experiments involving printing, dyeing, and weaving showed that the average recoveries of the amines were in the range of 75.6%-115.1%. The developed method has high enrichment multiples and low detection limits, and it is suitable for the detection of trace levels of banned azo dyes in textile wastewater.

Comprehensive screening of 63 coloring agents in cosmetics using matrix solid-phase dispersion and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry.

An analytical methodology for comprehensive screening of 63 coloring agents of great concern for regulatory control in cosmetics has been established using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (Q-Orbitrap HRMS). An effective, rapid, and simple sample pretreatment protocol with low sample and reagent consumption was developed based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD). The selection of the most suitable extraction conditions was made using statistical tools of factorial multifactor experimental design and analysis of variance (ANOVA). In the final conditions, 0.1 g of cosmetic sample was blended with 0.3 g of anhydrous sodium sulfate and 0.4 g of sand, and the MSPD column was eluted with 2 mL of methanol. The extract was analyzed by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS under synchronous full-scan MS and data-dependent MS/MS (full-scan MS1/dd-MS2) acquisition mode. The mass resolution was set to 70,000 FWHM (full width at half maximum) for full-scan MS1 and 17,500 FWHM for dd-MS2 stage with the experimentally measured mass deviations of less than 3 ppm (parts per million) for quasi-molecular ions and 5 ppm for characteristic fragment ions for each individual analyte. An accurate-mass database and a mass spectral library were built in house for searching the 63 target compounds. Broad screening was conducted by comparing the experimentally measured exact mass of precursor and fragment ions, retention time, isotopic pattern, and ionic ratio with the accurate-mass database and by matching the acquired MS/MS spectra against the mass spectral library. Method performance was evaluated in terms of limits of detection (LODs), limits of quantitation (LOQs), linearity, precision, recovery, and matrix effect. The UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS approach was applied for the simultaneous analysis of 63 target coloring agents in 69 genuine cosmetic samples. Eleven legally prohibited coloring agents were detected in 26 cosmetic samples in total. The proposed method exhibited great potential for high-throughput, sensitive, and reliable screening of multi-class coloring agent substances in cosmetics.

Liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole-Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry based method for target analysis and suspect screening of non-ionic surfactants in textiles.

In this study, we describe a high-throughput and sensitive method for textiles analysis, using liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole-Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS), for the simultaneously quantitative analysis of 40 target alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEO) oligomers with reference standards and screening of 160 alcohol polyethoxylates (AEO) oligomers without standards in textiles. The APEOs contain nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs) and octylphenol ethoxylates (OPEOs) with an EO number of ethylene oxide of 1-20, while AEOs focus on C11EOs-C18EOs with an EO number of 1-20. After ultrasonic extraction in methanol, the extract was directly separated using a core-shell CORTECS C18+ column and analyzed by Full MS/dd-MS2 (data dependent acquisition) scan in ESI positive mode. Two best sensitivity experimental conditions for APEOs with short EO chains (AP(EO)1-2) and long EO chains (AP(EO)3-20) were investigated, respectively. Most APEO oligomers had wide concentration ranges and the correlation coefficients (R2) were higher than 0.999. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) values for NP(EO)3-20 oligomers ranges from 16.00 to 52.80µg/kg and for OP(EO)3-20 oligomers is from 2.40 to 8.00µg/kg. LOQ for NP(EO)1 and NP(EO)2, OP(EO)1 and OP(EO)2 was 2.40mg/kg and 0.24mg/kg, 1.20mg/kg and 0.16mg/kg, respectively. The average recovery for each APEO oligomer in cotton and polyester matrix was between 78% and 110% at three spiked levels and the relative standard deviation (RSD%) was below 10%. As to AEOs suspects, a HRMS compound database containing 160 AEO oligomers was built and several parameters such as exact m/z, isotopic patterns, predicted product ions and predicted retention time were used for screening and confirmation. The established method was successfully applied for analysis of 40 commercial textile samples. Compared with OPEOs, NPEOs, especially NP(EO)3-15 oligomers, were widely detected in samples and the total concentration ranged from 1.56 to 1376.31mg/kg. AEOs were also found in most samples, among which C12-14, C16 and C18 compounds appeared more frequently and the EO chains mainly ranged from 3 to 15.

Broad screening of illicit ingredients in cosmetics using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry with customized accurate-mass database and mass spectral library.

Comprehensive identification and quantitation of 100 multi-class regulated ingredients in cosmetics was achieved using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (Q-Orbitrap HRMS). A simple, efficient, and inexpensive sample pretreatment protocol was developed using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), followed by dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE). The cosmetic samples were analyzed by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS under synchronous full-scan MS and data-dependent MS/MS (full-scan MS1/dd-MS2) acquisition mode. The mass resolution was set to 70,000 FWHM (full width at half maximum) for full-scan MS1 and 17,500 FWHM for dd-MS2 stage with the experimentally measured mass deviations of less than 2ppm (parts per million) for quasi-molecular ions and 5ppm for characteristic fragment ions for each individual analyte. An accurate-mass database and a mass spectral library were built in house for searching the 100 target compounds. Broad screening was conducted by comparing the experimentally measured exact mass of precursor and fragment ions, retention time, isotopic pattern, and ionic ratio with the accurate-mass database and by matching the acquired MS/MS spectra against the mass spectral library. The developed methodology was evaluated and validated in terms of limits of detection (LODs), limits of quantitation (LOQs), linearity, stability, accuracy, and matrix effect. The UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS approach was applied for the analysis of 100 target illicit ingredients in 123 genuine cosmetic samples, and exhibited great potential for high-throughput, sensitive, and reliable screening of multi-class illicit compounds in cosmetics.

[Rapid screening and identification of 22 allergenic disperse dyes in ecological textiles by high performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap/orbitrap mass spectrometry].

A rapid screening method based on high performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap/orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap MS) for 22 disperse dyes in ecological textiles has been established. The target compounds were extracted by pyridine/water (1:1, v/v) by shaking extraction in 90 degrees C water bath. The extracts were then separated by a CAPCELL PAK C18 column (100 mm x 2.0 mm, 5 µm) using gradient elution with acetonitrile-5 mmol/L ammonium acetate containing 0.01% (v/v) formic acid as mobile phases, and finally analyzed by HPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap in positive and negative ESI modes. The retention time and accurate mass of parent ion were used for fast screening of 22 disperse dyes, while the confirmatory analysis was obtained by fragments generated by collision-induced dissociation (CID) MS/MS. Target analysis exhibited high mass accuracy (< 5 x 10(-6)). Each target showed a good linearity in its own concentration range and the correlation coefficient was higher than 0.99. The LOQs were 0.125-2.5 mg/kg. Except for Disperse Yellow 49, the average recoveries of most disperse dyes at three spiked levels were 65%-120%, and the relative standard deviations (n = 6) were less than 15%. The method was applied for screening 40 different kinds of textiles, and Disperse Orange 37/76 was detected in one of them. With high selectivity and strong anti-jamming ability, this method is simple, rapid, accurate, and it can be used for the inspection of disperse dyes in textiles.

[Determination of free carcinogenic aromatic amines in textiles by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap/orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry].

A method of ultra-performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap/orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap MS) was used to determine 24 free carcinogenic aromatic amines in textiles. The main factors influencing the method, including the extraction solvent, the extraction temperature and the extraction time, were optimized. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the analytes were extracted by dichloromethane for 10 min and loaded into a ZORBAX SB-C18 column (150 mm x 2.1 mm, 5 µm) with a gradient elution of methanol and 0.1% aqueous formic acid solution, and finally detected by LTQ/Orbitrap MS. The screening and quantitative analysis were carried out by the accurate mass of quasi-molecular ion and the peak in extracted chromatogram with accurate mass respectively. The correlation coefficients (R2) were higher than 0.99. The recoveries were 87.8%-105.6% with the RSDs were 1.6%-3.4%. The limits of detection were 0.5-1 µg/kg, and the limits of quantification were 1.5-3 µg/kg. The proposed method was applied to 14 textile samples containing spandex. 4,4'-Diaminodiphenylmethane was determined in five samples and the contents were 0.21-25.6 mg/kg. The results indicate that the developed method is a simple, efficient, precise and reliable technique for the determination of free carcinogenic aromatic amines in textiles.

Rapid screening and identification of multi-class substances of very high concern in textiles using liquid chromatography-hybrid linear ion trap orbitrap mass spectrometry.

A new analytical method was established and validated for the analysis of 19 substances of very high concern (SVHCs) in textiles, including phthalic acid esters (PAEs), organotins (OTs), perfluorochemicals (PFCs) and flame retardants (FRs). After ultrasonic extraction in methanol, the textile samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-hybrid linear ion trap Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap). The values of LOQ were in the range of 2-200mg/kg. Recoveries at two levels (at the LOQ and at half the limit of regulation) ranged from 68% to 120%, and the repeatability was lower than 13%. This method was successfully applied to the screening of SVHCs in commercial textile samples and is useful for the fast screening of various SVHCs.

[Determination of carcinogenic aromatic amines derived from azo colorants in plastic components of electrical and electronic products by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry].

A study for the simultaneous determination of 21 primary aromatic amines derived from the reduction of the azo colorants in plastic components of electrical and electronic products was conducted. Organic solvents were used to dissolve or swell the plastics to release the azo dyes existing in the plastic components. The azo colorants were reduced to aromatic amines under strong reducing condition of dithionite. Aromatic amines were extracted with methyl tert-butyl ether. Methanol-water (1: 1, v/v) was used to concentrate the extract to constant-volume for HPLC-MS analysis. The analytes were separated on a ZORBAX Eclipse XDB C18 column using the gradient elution with acetonitrile and 0.1% (v/v) formic acid aqueous solution at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. The analyte confirmation was performed using retention time and characteristic ions in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The correlation coefficients (r) of all the standard curves were more than 0.998, and the limits of quantification of the analytes were 0.5 mg/kg. The recoveries were 60.1% - 129.5% for the 21 aromatic amines with the RSDs not more than 14.0% except for a few compounds. The results showed that the banned azo colorants in the plastic products can be analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively through reductive conversion into aromatic amines. In addition, this method has high accuracy and good precision.

[Identification of banned aromatic amines and their isomers in textiles by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap/orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry].

A method of ultra-performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap/orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap MS) was used to screen and confirm 24 banned aromatic amines and their 14 isomers at the same time. The main factors influencing the separation including the column, and the nature of make-up solvent were optimized. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the analytes were reduced to banned aromatic amine with sodium dithionite, extracted by methyl tert-butyl ether and loaded onto a ZORBAX SB-C18 column (150 mm x 2.1 mm, 5 µm) with a gradient elution of methanol and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution, and finally detected by LTQ/Orbitrap MS. The screening and quantitative analysis were carried out by the accurate mass of quasi-molecular ion and the peak in extracted chromatogram with accurate mass. The correlation coefficients were higher than 0.99 and the limits of detection were in the range of 0.5-5 µg/kg. The method could screen and confirm the 24 banned aromatic amines and their 14 isomers at the same time. The results were 1.56 mg/kg of 4-chloroaniline, 0.34 mg/kg of o-toluidine, and 0.81 mg/kg of 2,6-toluylenediamine with the relative standard deviations ranging from 0.27% to 1.32% in actual samples. The results indicate that the developed method is simple, efficient and precise, and can be a reliable technique for the separation of the 24 banned aromatic amines and their 14 isomers in textile samples.

[Screening and confirmation of 24 hormones in cosmetics by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap/orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry].

A method of ultra high performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap/orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap MS) was established to screen and confirm 24 hormones in cosmetics. Various cosmetic samples were extracted with methanol. The extract was loaded onto a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (50 mm x 2.1 mm, 1.7 microm) using a gradient elution of acetonitrile/water containing 0.1% (v/v) formic acid for the separation. The accurate mass of quasi-molecular ion was acquired by full scanning of electrostatic field orbitrap. The rapid screening was carried out by the accurate mass of quasi-molecular ion. The confirmation analysis for targeted compounds was performed with the retention time and qualitative fragments obtained by data dependent scan mode. Under the optimal conditions, the 24 hormones were routinely detected with mass accuracy error below 3 x 10(-6) (3 ppm), and good linearities were obtained in their respective linear ranges with correlation coefficients higher than 0.99. The LODs (S/N = 3) of the 24 compounds were < or = 10 microg/kg, which can meet the requirements for the actual screening of cosmetic samples. The developed method was applied to screen the hormones in 50 cosmetic samples. The results demonstrate that the method is a useful tool for the rapid screening and identification of the hormones in cosmetics.

[Determination of hexabromocyclododecane in coatings by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry].

A method has been developed for the determination of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in fire proof coatings by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The sample was extracted with dichloromethane and purified through an organic membrane before analysis with GC-MS. The characteristic fragments (m/z 157, 239, 319, 401) and the quantitative ion (m/z 239) were selected. With the optimized conditions, the good linear relationship was obtained between the peak area and the mass concentration of HBCD in the range of 5 to 100 mg/L with the correlation coefficient more than 0. 999. The spiked recoveries in the coatings of acrylic and epoxy resins were 92.9% - 116.3% with the RSDs not more than 8%. The LOD (S/N > or = 3) of HBCD was 30 microg/g, and the LOQ (S/N > or = 10) was 100 microg/g, which were much lower than the international maximum residue limit. The method is simple, quick, accurate and precise, which can meet the requirements of the European Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 and Norway PoHS instruction (Prohibition on Certain Hazardous Substances in Consumer Products) for the determination of HBCD. It is suitable for the analysis of HBCD in fire proof coatings.

[Screening and confirmation of carcinogenic dyes in textiles by high performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap/orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry].

A method of high performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap/Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap MS) was used to screen and confirm carcinogenic dyes in textiles. The analytes were extracted from textile samples with pyridine/water (1/1, v/v) in a water bath under controlled conditions (95 degrees C, 150 r/min), and then filtered with a 0.22 microm polytetrafluoroetylene (PTFE) membrane. The eluates were separated on a CAPCELL PAK C18 column (100 mm x 2.0 mm, 5 microm) using gradient elution with acetonitrile/ 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate aqueous solution containing 0.01% formic acid (in positive mode) and acetonitrile/5 mmol/L ammonium acetate aqueous solution (in negative mode), and finally detected by HPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap MS in ESI modes. Full scan experiments were performed over the range of m/z 200-800. The screening and quantitative analysis were carried out by the accurate mass of quasi-molecular ion and the peak area in extracted chromatogram with accurate mass, respectively. The confirmatory analysis for target compounds was performed with the retention time and qualitative fragments obtained by data-dependent scan mode. Under the optimal conditions, nine carcinogenic dyes were routinely detected with mass accuracy below 5 x 10(-6) (5 ppm), and good linearities were provided in their respective linear ranges with correlation coefficients higher than 0.99. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.125-25 mg/kg. The average recoveries at three spiked levels were in the range of 62.13%116.28% with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) lower than 15%. The proposed method was applied to screen and confirm the nine carcinogenic dyes in textile samples. It is convenient and reliable.

[Simultaneous identification and detection of 16 anabolic steroid hormones in muscle using liquid chromatography oupled to quadrupole/linear ion trap mass spectrometry].

A comprehensive method for simultaneous identification and detection of 16 anabolic steroid hormones (ASs, including andorgens, gestagens and their esters) in muscle samples was developed with liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole/linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-Q/Trap-MS). The ASs in muscle samples were extracted with acetonitrile under ultrasonic assistance. The extract was defatted by n-hexane with liquid-liquid partitioning and followed by clean-up with NH2 solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge. The separation of analytes was carried out on a CAPCELL PAK C18 MG II column (150 mm x 2.0 mm, 5.0 microm) using mobile phases of 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in acetonitrile and 0.1% (v/v) formic acid-5 mmol/L ammonium formate aqueous solution with gradient elution. A scheduled multiple reaction monitoring (sMRM) in positive mode as survey scan and an enhanced product ion (EPI) scan as dependent scan in an information-dependent acquisition (IDA) experiment was adopted in mass spectrometry acquisition. On-line lab-built MS/MS library and internal standards were employed for the identification and quantification. As a result, the 16 ASs showed good linearity with all correlation coefficients (r) no less than 0. 999 0 within the linear ranges. The limits of quantification (LOQs, S/N > or = 10) for the 16 ASs were in the range of 0.029-0.36 microg/kg. At the three spiked levels (0.5, 2.0 and 20 microg/kg), the overall recoveries ranged from 89.9% to 118% with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) no more than 16.2% under within--laboratory reproducibility conditions. The proposed method can be used to identify and detect the 16 ASs in a single run, which makes it effective in residue surveillance of anabolic hormones in muscle samples.

Multi-residue method for the confirmation of four avermectin residues in food products of animal origin by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A confirmatory method was developed for the rapid determination of abamectin, ivermectin, doramectin and eprinomectin residues in various food products of animal origin, such as pork muscle, pork liver, fish and milk. Samples were homogenized, extracted and de-proteinized by acetonitrile, cleaned via two-step cleaning procedure using Bond Elut C(18) SPE columns and then alumina-N cartridges. All the four avermectin residues in different animal-food products were simultaneously separated and determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) within 3.5 min. Data acquisition under positive ESI-MS/MS was performed by applying multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) for both identification and quantification, and mass spectrometric conditions were optimized to increase selectivity and sensitivity. The matrix-matched calibration curves for different matrices, such as pork muscle, pork liver, fish and milk, were constructed and the interference effect of different sample matrices on the ionization was effectively eliminated. The UPLC-MS/MS method was validated with satisfactory linearity, recovery, precision and stability. Matrix-matched calibration curves of abamectin, ivermectin, doramectin and eprinomectin in four different matrices were linear (r(2)( )≥ 0.990, goodness-of-fit coefficients ≤12.8%) in the range 2.5-200 µg kg(-1). The limits of detection and quantification for the four avermectins were in the range 0.05-0.68 and 0.17-2.27 µg kg(-1), respectively. Recoveries were 62.4-104.5% with good intra- and inter-day precision. The method was rapid, sensitive and reliable, and can be applied to the quantitative analysis of avermectin residues in different animal-food products.