Ultrafast, Selective, and Highly Sensitive Nonchromatographic Analysis of Fourteen Cannabinoids in Cannabis Extracts, Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol Synthetic Mixtures, and Edibles by Cyclic Ion Mobility Spectrometry-Mass Spectrometry.

The diversity of cannabinoid isomers and complexity of Cannabis products pose significant challenges for analytical methodologies. In this study, we developed a method to analyze 14 different cannabinoid isomers in diverse samples within milliseconds by leveraging the unique adduct-forming behavior of silver ions in advanced cyclic ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry. The developed method achieved the separation of isomers from four groups of cannabinoids: Δ3-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (1), Δ8-THC (2), Δ9-THC (3), cannabidiol (CBD) (4), Δ8-iso-THC (5), and Δ(4)8-iso-THC (6) (all MW = 314); 9α-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol (7), 9ß-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol (8), and 8-hydroxy-iso-THC (9) (all MW = 332); tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) (10) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) (11) (both MW = 358); Δ8-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) (12), Δ8-iso-THCV (13), and Δ9-THCV (14) (all MW = 286). Moreover, experimental and theoretical traveling wave collision cross section values in nitrogen (TWCCSN2) of cannabinoid-Ag(I) species were obtained for the first time with an average error between experimental and theoretical values of 2.6%. Furthermore, a workflow for the identification of cannabinoid isomers in Cannabis and Cannabis-derived samples was established based on three identification steps (m/z and isotope pattern of Ag(I) adducts, TWCCSN2, and MS/MS fragments). Afterward, calibration curves of three major cannabinoids were established with a linear range of 1-250 ng·ml-1 for Δ8-THC (2) (R2 = 0.9999), 0.1-25 ng·ml-1 for Δ9-THC (3) (R2 = 0.9987), and 0.04-10 ng·ml-1 for CBD (4) (R2 = 0.9986) as well as very low limits of detection (0.008-0.2 ng·ml-1). Finally, relative quantification of Δ8-THC (2), Δ9-THC (3), and CBD (4) in eight complex acid-treated CBD mixtures was achieved without chromatographic separation. The results showed good correspondence (R2 = 0.999) with those obtained by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection/mass spectrometry.

Investigating Metabolic Plant Response toward Deoxynivalenol Accumulation in Four Winter Cereals.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a phytotoxic agent supporting the spread of fungal diseases in cereals worldwide, i.e., fusarium head blight. It is known that DON accumulation may elicit changes in plant secondary metabolites in response to pathogen attack. This study maps the changes in selected secondary metabolite classes upon DON contamination occurring in fifteen Triticum spp. genotypes, among them emmer, spelt, and soft wheat, and 2 tritordeum varieties, cultivated in two different sites and over two harvest years. The main phenolic classes (i.e., alkylresorcinols, soluble, and cell-wall bound phenolic acids) were targeted analyzed, while changes in the lipidome signature were collected through untargeted HRMS experiments. The results, obtained across multiple Triticum species and in open fields, confirmed the modulation of first-line biological pathways already described in previous studies involving single cereal species or a limited germplasm, thus reinforcing the involvement of nonspecific chemical defenses in the plant response to pathogen attack.

Mycotoxin occurrence in kernels and straws of wheat, barley, and tritordeum.

Thirty-two varieties of common and durum wheat, hordeum, barley, and tritordeum collected over two harvesting years (2020 and 2021) were investigated for the presence of multiple Fusarium-related mycotoxins in asymptomatic plants. DON, 3-AcDON, 15-AcDON, T-2, HT-2, and ZEN together with the emerging mycotoxin ENN B and the major modified form of DON, namely DON3Glc, were quantified by means of UHPLC-MS/MS. Overall, DON and ENN B were the most frequently detected mycotoxins, albeit large inter-year variability was observed and related to different climate and weather conditions. Straws had higher mycotoxin contents than kernels and regarding DON occurrence tritordeum was found to be the most contaminated group on average for both harvesting years, while barley was the less contaminated one. Emerging mycotoxin ENN B showed comparable contents in kernels compared to straw, with a ratio close to 1 for tritordeum and barley. Regarding the occurrence of the other evaluated mycotoxins, T-2 and HT-2 toxins have been spotted in a few tritordeum samples, while ZEN has been frequently found only in straw from the harvesting year 2020. The data collected confirms the occurrence of multiple Fusarium mycotoxins in straws also from asymptomatic plants, highlighting concerns related to feed safety and animal health. The susceptibility of Tritordeum, hereby reported for the first time, suggests that careful measures in terms of monitoring, breeding, and cultural choices should be applied when dealing with his emerging crop.

Recent advances and challenges in the analysis of natural toxins.

Natural toxins (NTs) are poisonous secondary metabolites produced by living organisms developed to ward off predators. Especially low molecular weight NTs (MW<∼1 kDa), such as mycotoxins, phycotoxins, and plant toxins, are considered an important and growing food safety concern. Therefore, accurate risk assessment of food and feed for the presence of NTs is crucial. Currently, the analysis of NTs is predominantly performed with targeted high pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) methods. Although these methods are highly sensitive and accurate, they are relatively expensive and time-consuming, while unknown or unexpected NTs will be missed. To overcome this, novel on-site screening methods and non-targeted HPLC high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) methods have been developed. On-site screening methods can give non-specialists the possibility for broad "scanning" of potential geographical regions of interest, while also providing sensitive and specific analysis at the point-of-need. Non-targeted chromatography-HRMS methods can detect unexpected as well as unknown NTs and their metabolites in a lab-based approach. The aim of this chapter is to provide an insight in the recent advances, challenges, and perspectives in the field of NTs analysis both from the on-site and the laboratory perspective.

Erucin Exerts Cardioprotective Effects on Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury through the Modulation of mitoKATP Channels.

Modulation of mitochondrial K channels represents a pharmacological strategy to promote cardioprotective effects. Isothiocyanates emerge as molecules capable of releasing hydrogen sulfide (H2S), an endogenous pleiotropic gasotransmitter responsible for anti-ischemic cardioprotective effects also through the involvement of mitoK channels. Erucin (ERU) is a natural isothiocyanate resulting from the enzymatic hydrolysis of glucosinolates (GSLs) present in Eruca sativa Mill. seeds, an edible plant of the Brassicaceae family. In this experimental work, the specific involvement of mitoKATP channels in the cardioprotective effect induced by ERU was evaluated in detail. An in vivo preclinical model of acute myocardial infarction was reproduced in rats to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of ERU. Diazoxide was used as a reference compound for the modulation of potassium fluxes and 5-hydroxydecanoic acid (5HD) as a selective blocker of KATP channels. Specific investigations on isolated cardiac mitochondria were carried out to evaluate the involvement of mitoKATP channels. The results obtained showed ERU cardioprotective effects against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) damage through the involvement of mitoKATP channels and the consequent depolarizing effect, which in turn reduced calcium entry and preserved mitochondrial integrity.