Negative APCI-LC/MS/MS method for determination of natural persistent halogenated products in marine biota

Anal Chem. 2008 Dec 15;80(24):9748-55. doi: 10.1021/ac801824f.

Abstract

A sensitive and selective method utilizing high performance liquid chromatography coupled to negative atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry (APCI-LC/MS/MS) was developed to enable analysis of selected natural persistent organohalogens accumulated in marine biota. The analytes were three methoxylated tetrabromodiphenyl ethers (6-MeO-BDE47, 2'-MeO-BDE68, and 2',6-diMeO-BDE68), a dimethoxylated tetrabromobiphenyl (2,2'-diMeO-BB80), and two halogenated methyl bipyrroles (Cl(7)-MBP and Br(4)Cl(2)-DBP). These products were well resolved on a 150 mm reversed-phase column with methanol as the mobile phase. The fragmentation pathways of the Cl(7)-MBP and Br(4)Cl(2)-DBP produced characteristic multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions. Determination was performed in the MRM mode using phenoxide ion [M-Br+O](-) and product Br(-) ions for MeO-BDE analogues, or the precursor [M-Cl+O](-) to Br(-) ion for Br(4)Cl(2)-DBP, and to C(4)NCl(4)(-) ion for Cl(7)-MBP. The APCI-LC/MS/MS method is acceptable for calibration of the linearity and repeatability of all products studied in the low ng/g (lipid weight) level and with similar sensitivity to the electron ionization (EI)-GC/MS method. The proposed method was applied for quantification of natural organohalogens accumulated in melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra) blubber (N = 15) in the Asia-Pacific Ocean. The concentration was positively correlated between different groups of compounds except for 2'-MeO-BDE68. The use of the analytical method based on negative ion APCI-LC/MS/MS would provide a new way for rapid monitoring of halogenated natural products from marine biota, such as sponges or algae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atmospheric Pressure
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid*
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / analysis*
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / chemistry
  • Halogens / analysis*
  • Halogens / chemistry
  • Quality Control
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry*
  • Whales / metabolism*

Substances

  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers
  • Halogens