Solar-mediated degradation of linezolid and tedizolid under simulated environmental conditions: Kinetics, transformation and toxicity.

Linezolid (LIN) and Tedizolid (TED) are representatives of oxazolidinone antibiotics of last resort with a strong efficacy against gram-positive bacteria. This study focused on their solar-mediated degradation to understand better their fate in aquatic environment, for the realistic concentrations in the range of 1 µg/L. Results showed that both antibiotics (ABs) are degradable by simulated sunlight (1 kW/m2), with half-lives of 32 and 93 h in ultrapure water, for LIN and TED, respectively. LIN showed similar photolytic behaviour in pure solution and in surface water, whereas sunlight enhanced the degradation of LIN in pure solutions, but not in surface water. Structure elucidation by liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry provided information about seven transformation products for LIN and five for TED. The morpholinyl-ring was identified as the target site for most transformation reactions of LIN. TED was prone to oxidation and cleavage of the oxazolidinone ring. Results of a growth inhibition test on Bacillus subtilis exposed to UV light showed antibacterial efficacy of transformation products of LIN and no significant efficacy of degradation products of TED for the concentration range of 100 µg/L-10 mg/L of parent compounds. Photolytically treated solutions of the ABs maintained their inhibitory effect on the bioluminescence of Aliivibrio fischeri.

Determination of tetracyclines in pig and other meat samples using liquid chromatography coupled with diode array and tandem mass spectrometric detectors.

Two high performance liquid chromatographic methods (HPLC-DAD and LC-MS/MS) were developed to analyze tetracycline (TC) residues in pig meat (pork) samples. The method involved a sample preparation using a solid-liquid extraction (SLE) by McIlvaine buffer, followed by a solid-phase extraction (SPE) clean-up using Strata-XL cartridges. The developed sample clean-up resulted in a selective chromatogram in the HPLC-DAD separation and a reduced matrix effect (ME) in LC-MS/MS analysis. Moreover, HPLC columns packed with core-shell particles were tested for separation, which further enhanced the sensitivity and the selectivity of determinations. The validation of the methods for pig samples was carried out according to European Union 2002/657/EC decision. In addition, validation was also performed for bovine, chicken, and turkey meat samples using HPLC-DAD method. The performance characteristics of determinations were evaluated with both spiked and incurred samples, and were systematically compared. LC-MS/MS technique was found to be more accurate for spiked samples; however, HPLC-DAD method resulted in more reliable concentrations for incurred samples.

Detection of previously unknown fumonisin P analogue mycotoxins in a Fusarium verticillioides culture by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization time-of-flight and ion trap mass spectrometry.

Five previously unknown fumonisin mycotoxins (iso-FP1, iso-FP(2,3a), iso-FP(2,3b), FP4 and iso-FP4) and three previously described FP analogues (FP(1-3)) were detected in a solid rice culture inoculated with Fusarium verticillioides. The fumonisins were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-TOFMS) and ion trap mass spectrometry (ITMS). The FP isomers were separated by using a flat gradient on a special, high-coverage C18, narrow-bore HPLC column (YMC-Pack J'sphere ODS H80), which was suggested for the separation of structural isomers. The verified structures of the FP(1-3) mycotoxins, the relative retention times (by HPLC-ESI-TOFMS and ITMS), the exact masses of the molecular ions (by TOFMS) and the masses of the product ions, including the hydrocarbon backbones (by ITMS) of the new compounds, strongly suggested their structures.

Dirhodium complexes: determination of absolute configuration by the exciton chirality method using VCD spectroscopy.

Inherently chiral dinuclear rhodium complexes have been synthesized from the well-known dirhodium(II)-acetate and chiral/achiral amino acids. These complexes have a twisted paddlewheel structure due to axial chirality. Chiral induction could be observed when the ligands were chiral, opposite to the case of achiral ligands, where a racemic mixture was formed. The racemic mixture was separated by chiral HPLC-ECD. The stereochemical properties of these complexes were determined by VCD spectroscopy supported by theoretical calculations at the DFT level. We present a simple route to determine the absolute configuration by an exciton chirality method using VCD spectroscopy.

Detection and identification of the new potential synthetic cannabinoids 1-pentyl-3-(2-iodobenzoyl)indole and 1-pentyl-3-(1-adamantoyl)indole in seized bulk powders in Hungary.

3-Naphthoyl- and 3-phenylacetylindoles represent a group of substances of cannabimimetic activity with affinities - strongly influenced by their functional groups - to cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Some of them have been described as ingredients of herbal blends also known as "smart products" by several research groups. Recently further cannabimimetic substances possessing new chemical structures like benzoylindoles and adamantoylindoles have emerged. In Hungary, two powder samples were seized by the authorities and identified as 1-pentyl-3-(2-iodobenzoyl)indole (AM-679) and 1-pentyl-3-(1-adamantoyl)indole. Structure elucidation was carried out by LC-UV-MS/MS, LC-TOF-MS, GC-MS and NMR. The benzoylindole AM-679 is a known agonist of cannabinoid receptors while the adamantoylindole derivative also carries chemical features typical for cannabimimetics. It is thus assumed that both substances might be detected in "smart products" in the future.

Identification and characterization of the new designer drug 4'-methylethcathinone (4-MEC) and elaboration of a novel liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) screening method for seven different methcathinone analogs.

A fast and simple LC-MS/MS method was developed for screening mephedrone, butylone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), flephedrone, methylone and methedrone in bulk powder samples. Samples were separated on a reverse phase column using gradient elution with mixtures of water, acetonitrile and formic acid. After optimization a limit of detection of about 2ngmL(-1) was achieved using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Total run time was less than 8min. Typical fragmentation characteristics of the studied compounds are discussed. The method was successfully applied to several unknown bulk powder samples seized by the Hungarian Customs and Finance Guard. One of the samples contained the new designer drug 4'-methylethcathinone (4-MEC), which was identified and characterized by LC-MS/MS, NMR, FT-IR and LC-TOF-MS techniques. The method is also deemed to be applicable for the screening of simple dosage forms such as tablets and capsules.

Quantitative determination of corticosteroids in bovine milk using mixed-mode polymeric strong cation exchange solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A new method was developed to identify and quantify corticosteroids (prednisolone, methylprednisone, flumetasone, dexamethasone, and methylprednisolone) in raw bovine milk by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) utilizing mixed-mode polymeric strong cation exchange and reversed-phase (MCX) solid-phase extraction (SPE) to reduce ion effects in a multimode ion (MMI) source. The main advantage of this method over other commonly used methods includes the use of a single SPE cartridge with a low volume for sample preparation and fast separation on the HPLC system with reduced ion suppression. This study is the first to report the determination of methylprednisone, a metabolite of methylprednisolone, in bovine milk. This method was validated in accordance with the European Union (EU) Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The recoveries vary between 90% and 105%. The within-laboratory reproducibility (precision) is less than 30%. The decision limits and detection capabilities were calculated along with LODs, which ranged from 0.02 to 0.07 microg/kg. The method was further enhanced by its successful adaptation to other LC-MS/MS systems equipped with the newly developed ion source, Agilent Jet Stream (AJS). After optimization of the AJS ion source and MS parameters, even lower LOD values were achieved (0.001-0.006 microg/kg) for the corticosteroids. Analytical results obtained with the AJS were characterized by an enhanced area response and similar noise level comparable to those obtained with conventional orthogonal atmospheric ionization (API).

Detection and characterization of twenty-eight isomers of fumonisin B1 (FB1) mycotoxin in a solid rice culture infected with Fusarium verticillioides by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization time-of-flight and ion trap mass spectrometry.

Fumonisin mycotoxins which are hazardous to humans and animals were produced in a Fusarium verticillioides-infected solid rice culture. To decrease the possibility of the formation of artifacts, the fumonisins were analysed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization time-of-flight (RP-HPLC/ESI-TOFMS) and ion trap mass spectrometry (RP-HPLC/ESI-ITMS) immediately after the extraction of the culture material, without any further sample clean-up. The fumonisin isomers were separated by using a flat gradient on a special, high-coverage C(18), narrow-bore HPLC column (YMC-Pack J'sphere ODS H80) suggested for the separation of structural isomers by the manufacturer. Exact mass measurements (TOFMS) of the protonated molecules and extraction of the ion chromatogram corresponding to the empirical formula (C(34)H(59)NO(15)) of FB(1) toxins led to the identification of 29 peaks and shoulders, including those of FB(1). The FB(1) toxin and 28 of its isomers were also detected by ITMS after separation with RP-HPLC. The characteristic m/z values of the product ions, including the backbones obtained by ITMS(2), undoubtedly indicated the structures of the FB(1) isomers for 28 peaks and shoulders. In the MS(2) spectra of the protonated molecules of the FB(1) isomers, with some exceptions, 15 characteristic product ions including the hydrocarbon backbone at m/z 299 were observed. The abundance ratio of the cation at m/z 299 ranged up to 5.8%. The relative quantities of the isomers found in the sample extract were expressed as percentages of the FB(1) content (0.001-0.579%). The total amount of the 28 FB(1) isomers was 2.803% of the quantity of FB(1) that is important from the aspect of food and feed safety.