An alternative and fast method for determination of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) residues in soybean using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.

A simple and specific method using reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) was investigated, which allowed the determination of residues of glyphosate and its metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), in soybean samples. An aqueous extraction with liquid-liquid partition followed by protein precipitation was performed before the LC/MS/MS determination. The quantitation of glyphosate and AMPA was performed in positive and negative ESI mode, respectively, using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with three transitions for each analyte to enhance the specificity of the method and avoid false positives. The methodology reported in this work is capable of detecting residues of glyphosate and AMPA in soybean samples with limits of quantification of 0.30 and 0.34 mg kg(-1), respectively. This alternative method has throughput advantages such as simpler sample preparation and faster chromatographic analysis.

An electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric study of p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene complexation with ammonium hydroxide, and ammonium and sodium ions.

The formation of complexes involving p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene with neutral and charged species has been investigated by tandem mass spectrometry combined with electrospray ionization. Complexes of p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene with NH4+ ions were observed in the ratios 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1, together with the complexes of p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene with NH4OH and Na+ ions in the ratios 1:1:1, 2:1:1, and 3:1:1. A single 1:1 complex of p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene with Na+ ions was observed. In addition, a doubly charged complex of p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene with NH4OH, Na+, and NH4+ ions in the ratio 6:1:1:1 was observed. The identity of each complex was determined by mass analysis of product ions formed by the application of a declustering potential over the range 20-220 V and by observation of product ion mass spectra wherein the collision energy was varied from 5 to 50 eV. Fragmentation of the complexes is characterized by the facile loss of the ammonia molecule, sodium and ammonium ions, loss of neutral p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene, and successive neutral losses of C4H8 from the six tert-butyl groups in each p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene molecule.