Detection of counterfeit antiviral drug Heptodin and classification of counterfeits using isotope amount ratio measurements by multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS) and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS).

Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) are highly important techniques that can provide forensic evidence that otherwise would not be available. MC-ICP-MS has proved to be a very powerful tool for measuring high precision and accuracy isotope amount ratios. In this work, the potential of combining isotope amount ratio measurements performed by MC-ICP-MS and IRMS for the detection of counterfeit pharmaceutical tablets has been investigated. An extensive study for the antiviral drug Heptodin has been performed for several isotopic ratios combining MC-ICP-MS and an elemental analyser EA-IRMS for stable isotope amount ratio measurements. The study has been carried out for 139 batches of the antiviral drug and analyses have been performed for C, S, N and Mg isotope ratios. Authenticity ranges have been obtained for each isotopic system and combined to generate a unique multi-isotopic pattern only present in the genuine tablets. Counterfeit tablets have then been identified as those tablets with an isotopic fingerprint outside the genuine isotopic range. The combination of those two techniques has therefore great potential for pharmaceutical counterfeit detection. A much greater power of discrimination is obtained when at least three isotopic systems are combined. The data from these studies could be presented as evidence in court and therefore methods need to be validated to support their credibility. It is also crucial to be able to produce uncertainty values associated to the isotope amount ratio measurements so that significant differences can be identified and the genuineness of a sample can be assessed.

Measurement of longitudinal sulfur isotopic variations by laser ablation MC-ICP-MS in single human hair strands.

A new method for the measurement of longitudinal variations of sulfur isotope amount ratios in single hair strands using a laser ablation system coupled to a multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LA-MC-ICP-MS) is reported here for the first time. Ablation parameters have been optimized for the measurement of sulfur isotope ratios in scalp human hair strands of 80-120-microm thickness and different washing procedures have been evaluated. The repeatability of the method has been tested and the ability to measure sulfur isotopic variations in 1,000-microm-long hair segments has been evaluated. A horse hair sample previously characterized for carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in an interlaboratory study has been characterized by LA-MC-ICP-MS to be used as an in-house standard for the bracketing of human hair strands. (34)S/(32)S isotope amount ratios have been measured and corrected for instrumental mass bias adopting the external standardization approach using National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) RM8553 and full uncertainty budgets have been calculated using the Kragten approach. Results are reported as both (34)S/(32)S isotope amount ratios and deltaS(V-CDT) values (sulfur isotopic differences relative to a reference sample expressed in the Vienna Canyon Diablo Troilite (V-CDT) scale) calculated using NIST RM8553, NIST RM8554, and NIST RM8556 to anchor results to the V-CDT scale. The main advantage of the new method versus conventional gas source isotope ratio mass spectrometry measurements is that longitudinal variations in sulfur isotope amount ratios can be resolved. Proof of concept is shown with human scalp hair strands from three individuals, two UK residents and one traveler (long periods of time abroad). The method enables monitoring of longitudinal isotope ratio variations in single hair strands. Absolute ratios are reported and delta(34)S(V-CDT) values are plotted for comparison. Slight variations of <1.2 per thousand were detected in the hair strands from UK residents whereas the traveler presented a variation of >5 per thousand. Thus, the measurement of sulfur isotopic variations in hair samples has potential to be an indicator of geographical origin and recent movements and could be used in combination with isotope ratio measurements in water/foodstuffs from different geographical locations to provide important information in nutritional and geographical studies.

Study of the effect of sample preparation and cooking on the selenium speciation of selenized potatoes by HPLC with ICP-MS and electrospray ionization MS/MS.

The efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis and leaching with water using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) or boiling was investigated for quantitative Se speciation in selenized potatoes using reversed phase HPLC coupled to ICP-MS. Preliminary identification of selenomethionine (SeMet), Se-methylselenocysteine (SeMeCys), and selenate in extracts of potato skin and flesh was achieved using complementary reversed phase and anion-exchange HPLC-ICP-MS and retention time matching with standards. The quantitative speciation data revealed a higher percentage of selenomethionine (73% of the total Se) found in the flesh in comparison with skin (containing 21% of the total Se as SeMet). ASE and boiling in water were found to be similar in terms of Se extraction efficiency and profiles. However, ASE was found to be more efficient than boiling with respect to sample cleanup and reduced sample handling. The presence of SeMet at parts per billion levels in selenized potatoes was confirmed by reversed phase HPLC with online ESI MS/MS.

Precise and traceable (13)C/(12)C isotope amount ratios by multicollector ICPMS.

A new method for the measurement of SI traceable carbon isotope amount ratios using a multicollector inductively coupled mass spectrometer (MC-ICPMS) is reported for the first time. Carbon (13)C/(12)C isotope amount ratios have been measured for four reference materials with carbon isotope amount ratios ranging from 0.010659 (delta(13)C(VPDB) = -46.6 per thousand) to 0.011601 (delta(13)C(VPDB) = +37 per thousand). Internal normalization by measuring boron (11)B/(10)B isotope amount ratios has been used to correct for the effects of instrumental mass bias. Absolute (13)C/(12)C ratios have been measured and corrected for instrumental mass bias and full uncertainty budgets have been calculated using the Kragten approach. Corrected (13)C/(12)C ratios for NIST RM8545 (Lithium Carbonate LSVEC), NIST RM8573 (L-Glutamic Acid USGS40), NIST RM8542 (IAEA-CH6 Sucrose) and NIST RM8574 (L-Glutamic Acid USGS41) differed from reference values by 0.06-0.20%. Excellent linear correlation (R = 0.9997) was obtained between corrected carbon isotope amount ratios and expected carbon isotope amount ratios of the four chosen NIST RMs. The method has proved to be linear within this range (from (13)C/(12)C = 0.010659 to (13)C/(12)C =0.011601), and therefore, it is suitable for the measurement of carbon isotope amount ratios within the natural range of variation of organic carbon compounds, carbonates, elemental carbon, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. In addition, a CO2 gas sample previously characterized in-house by conventional dual inlet isotope ratio mass spectrometry has been analyzed and excellent agreement has been found between the carbon isotope amount ratio value measured by MC-ICPMS and the IRMS measurements. Absolute values for carbon isotope amount ratios traceable to the SI are given for each NIST RM, and the combined uncertainty budget (including instrumental error and each parameter contributing to Russell expression for mass bias correction) has been found to be < 0.1% for the four materials. The advantage of the method versus conventional gas source isotope ratio mass spectrometry measurements is that carbon isotope amount ratios are measured as C(+) instead of CO2(+), and therefore, an oxygen (17)O correction due to the presence of (12)C(17)O(16)O(+) is not required. Organic compounds in solution can be measured without previous derivatization, combustion steps, or both, thus making the process simple. The novel methodology opens new avenues for the measurement of absolute carbon isotope amount ratios in a wide range of samples.

Isotope dilution quantification of ultratrace gamma-glutamyl-Se-methylselenocysteine species using HPLC with enhanced ICP-MS detection by ultrasonic nebulisation or carbon-loaded plasma.

A method for the accurate determination of ultratrace selenium species of relevance to cancer research, such as gamma-glutamyl-Se-methylselenocysteine (gamma-glutamyl-SeMC), using species-specific double isotope dilution analysis (IDA) with HPLC-ICP-MS is reported for the first time. The (77)Se-enriched gamma-glutamyl-SeMC spike was produced in-house by collecting the fraction at the retention time of the gamma-glutamyl-SeMC peak from a chromatographed aqueous extract of (77)Se-enriched yeast, pooling the collected fractions and freeze-drying the homogenate. The Se content of this spike was characterised using reverse isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) and the isotopic composition of this spike was checked prior to quantification of the natural abundance dipeptide species in garlic using speciated IDA. The extraction of the gamma-glutamyl-SeMC species in water was performed in a sonication bath for 2 h after adding an appropriate quantity of (77)Se-enriched gamma-glutamyl-SeMC to 50 mg of garlic to give optimal (78)Se/(77)Se and (82)Se/(77)Se ratios of 1.5 and 0.6, respectively. The effect of ultrasonic nebulisation, in comparison with the loading of the ICP with carbon (through the addition of methane gas on-line), on the detection of Se associated with gamma-glutamyl-SeMC using collision/reaction cell ICP-MS with hydrogen as collision gas was investigated. Sensitivity enhancements of approximately fourfold and twofold were achieved using USN and methane mixed plasma, respectively, in comparison with conventional nebulisation and conventional Ar ICP-MS. However, an approximately twofold improvement in the detection limit was achieved using both approaches (42 ng kg(-1) for (78)Se using peak height measurements). The use of species-specific IDMS enabled quantification of the dipeptide species at ng g(-1) levels (603 ng g(-1) Se) in the complex food matrix with a relative standard deviation (RSD, n = 4) of 4.5%, which was approximately half that obtained using standard addition as a confirmatory technique. Furthermore, good agreement was found between the gamma-glutamyl-SeMC species concentrations obtained using both calibration methods.

Systematic comparison of delta34S measurements by multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and evaluation of full uncertainty budget using two different metrological approaches.

A systematic comparison of delta34S measurements by multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MCICPMS) using two different standardisation approaches and two different reference materials as working standards is reported for the first time. Full uncertainty budgets have been calculated using the Kragten approach. Internal standardisation by measuring Si ratios and external standardisation by bracketing samples with either NIST RM8553 or NIST RM8554 have been compared to correct for the effects of mass bias. The delta34S value and the associated uncertainty ( per thousand) were found to be slightly different when using different approaches. Corrected 34S:32S ratios for NIST RM8553 and NIST RM8554 differed from those previously reported by 0.1 to 0.5% when using external standardisation. 34S:32S ratios for NIST RM8553 and NIST RM8554 differed from those previously reported by 0.06 to 0.15% when using Si internal standardisation. This indicated that in order to minimise deviation from true ratio values, Si internal standardisation would be a more appropriate option when using a Neptune MCICPMS instrument. delta(34)S values were obtained for four different methionine samples and expanded uncertainties (k = 2) expressed in delta34S ( per thousand) ranged from 0.7 per thousand to 1.6 per thousand. Regardless of the approach used for the mass bias correction, three parameters provided the major contributions to the standard uncertainty of the delta34S(V-CDT) value. These were the measured 34S:32S in the sample, the measured 34S:32S for the working standard and the known delta34S(V-CDT) value of the working standard. Results using both approaches are compared and the Si internal standardisation approach is used to provide results for an inter-laboratory comparison.

Induction and metal speciation of metallothionein in wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) along a metal pollution gradient.

We investigated the binding of Cd, Cu, and Zn to metallothionein (MT) and other metal-binding proteins in free-living wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus L.) captured in four areas along a metal pollution gradient. We measured total and cytosolic Cd, Cu, and Zn concentrations in mouse liver and kidney by means of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Total (Cu, Cd, Zn)-MT levels were determined in the same tissues by means of the cadmium thiomolybdate saturation assay. Metal speciation of metalloproteins was studied by means of size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography-ICP-MS. Liver and kidney of wood mice from the site adjacent to the pollution source showed the highest Cd and Zn concentrations (total and cytosolic) and (Cu, Cd, Zn)-MT levels compared to the other sites farther away from the pollution source. No or only small site differences in tissue Cu concentrations were observed. Almost all the variation (85-95%) in hepatic and renal (Cu, Cd, Zn)-MT levels was explained by the total or cytosolic hepatic Zn and Cd concentration or the renal Cd concentration, respectively. An analysis of the cytosolic metal speciation showed that the Cd-MT, Cu-MT, and Zn-MT fractions in liver and kidney increased significantly with increasing cytosolic metal concentrations. Metals associated with the other cytosolic protein fractions did not increase with increasing exposure. These results illustrate the important role of MT in metal homeostasis and detoxification processes. We conclude that MT is a useful biomarker for environmental metal contamination in free-living wood mice.

Current mass spectrometry strategies for selenium speciation in dietary sources of high-selenium.

This document reviews the most relevant mass spectrometry approaches to selenium (Se) speciation in high-Se food supplements in terms of qualitative and quantitative Se speciation and Se-containing species identification, with special reference to high-Se yeast, garlic, onions and Brazil nuts. Important topics such as complexity of Se speciation in these materials and the importance of combining Se-specific detection and molecule-specific determination of the particular species of this element in parallel with chromatography, to understand their nutritional role and cancer preventive properties are critically discussed throughout. The versatility and potential of mass spectrometric detection in this field are clearly demonstrated. Although great advances have been achieved, further developments are required, especially if "speciated"certified reference materials (CRMs) are to be produced for validation of measurements of target Se-containing species in Se-food supplements.

A comparison of double-focusing sector field ICP-MS, ICP-OES and octopole collision cell ICP-MS for the high-accuracy determination of calcium in human serum.

Human serum is routinely measured for total calcium content in clinical studies. A definitive high-accuracy and low-uncertainty method is required for reference measurements to underpin medical diagnoses. This study presents a novel octopole collision cell ICP-MS, high-accuracy, methodology and comparison of that technique with double-focusing sector field ICP-MS and an ICP-OES method. Double-matched isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) was employed for ICP-MS techniques and an exact matching bracketing technique using scandium as an internal standard was used for ICP-OES analysis. Medium resolution mode was utilised for double-focusing sector field ICP-MS analysis to resolve the dominant interferences on the (44)Ca/(42)Ca isotope pair. Hydrogen reaction gas was employed to chemically resolve a number of polyatomic interferences predominantly through charge transfer reactions in the octopole collision cell. Comparison data presented for NIST CRM 909b human serum analysis from all three techniques demonstrates highest accuracy (99.6%) and lowest uncertainty (1.1%) for octopole collision cell ICP-MS. Data from ICP-OES using a non-IDMS technique produces comparably accurate data and low-uncertainties. The much higher total expanded uncertainties for double-focusing sector field ICP-MS compared with octopole collision cell data are explained by lower precision on the measurement of the (44)Ca/(42)Ca isotope ratio. Data for octopole collision cell ICP-MS submitted for an international blind trial comparison (CCQM K-14) demonstrated excellent agreement with the mean of all participants with a low expanded uncertainty.