Analysis of Amygdalin in Various Matrices Using Electrospray Ionization and Flowing Atmospheric-Pressure Afterglow Mass Spectrometry

Amygdalin is a natural cyanogenic compound that plants produce in the fight against insects and herbivores. Excessive amounts of amygdalin by animals and humans can potentially lead to fatal intoxication. However, studies confirm that amygdalin has antitumor properties, including the ability to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and to induce their apoptosis. The analysis of amygdalin in various matrices is an important analytical problem today. The publication presents the methodology of direct determination of amygdalin in water, sewage, and biological materials using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and a new analytical method using flowing atmospheric-pressure afterglow mass spectrometry (FAPA-MS). The methods of analyte pre-concentration using a magnetic, molecularly imprinted polymer (mag-MIP) and the influence of interferents on the recorded spectra were discussed. Analytical parameters in ESI-MS and FAPA-MS methods were established. The linearity range was 4.5 µg L−1–45 mg L−1 in positive mode ESI-MS and FAPA-MS. The limit of detection (LOD) for ESI-MS was 0.101 ± 0.003 µg L−1 and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.303 ± 0.009 µg L−1. In FAPA-MS, the LOD was 0.050 ± 0.002 µg L−1 and the LOQ was 0.150 ± 0.006 µg L−1. The content of amygdalin in various matrices was determined.

Application of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIP) and Flowing Atmospheric-Pressure Afterglow Mass Spectrometry (FAPA-MS) to Analysis of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

In recent years, the rapid development of the pharmaceutical industry and the extensive and illicit use of painkillers have led to increased levels of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the environment. In view of the significant impact of NSAIDs on living organisms, including humans, their presence in the environment needs to be continuously monitored at trace levels. For this purpose, a combination of molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) and HPLC-MS analysis is commonly used. MISPE has been utilized in direct, fast, and ecological analysis of drugs using a flowing atmospheric-pressure afterglow ion source for mass spectrometry (FAPA-MS). The new method was applied herein in the determination of naproxen, diclofenac, and ibuprofen. The linear dependence of the intensity of analytical signals on the amount of drugs is in the range of 0.2 μg to 1 g and the method detection limit (MDL) for all drugs is 0.2 μg in environmental samples. The new method also decreased the number of analytical stages, the time and cost of analysis, and the organic solvent consumption, besides being environmentally friendly.

Evaluation of a modified halo flowing atmospheric pressure afterglow ion source for the analysis of directly injected volatile organic compounds

hFAPA ion source as an analytical tool for the determination of volatile organic compounds in gas samples by direct injection.