Comparison of extraction methods and detection systems in the gas chromatographic analysis of volatile carbonyl compounds

Development of two stable isotope dilution assays for the quantitation of acrolein in heat-processed fats

Two stable isotope dilution assays were developed for the quantitation of acrolein in fats and oils using [(13)C(3)]-acrolein as the internal standard. First, a direct GC-MS headspace method, followed by an indirect GC-MS method using derivatization with pentafluorophenyl hydrazine, was established. Analysis of six different types of oils varying in their pattern of fatty acids showed significant differences in the amounts of acrolein formed after heating at various temperatures and for various times. For example, after 24 h at 140 °C, coconut oil contained 6.7 mg/kg, whereas linseed oil was highest with 242.3 mg/kg. A comparison of the results showed that the extent of acrolein formation seemed to be correlated with the amount of linolenic acid in the oils. Although the acrolein concentrations were lowered in all six oils after frying of potato crisps, linseed and rapeseed oil still contained the highest amounts of acrolein after frying. By applying both methods on different thermally treated fats and oils, nearly identical quantitative data were obtained.

A new method for the determination of carbonyl compounds in wines by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry

A new analytical method for the determination of 18 carbonyl compounds [2,3-pentadione, hexanal, (E)-2-hexen-1-al, octanal, acetoin, (E)-2-octenal, furfural, decanal, (E)-2-nonenal, benzaldehyde, 5-methylfurfural, (E,E)-2-cis-6-nonadienal, β-damascenone, phenylacetaldehyde, acetophenone, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, benzophenone, and vanillin] in wines using automated headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS/SPME) coupled to gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry (GC-ITMS) was developed. Five fibers with different polarities were tested, and a study of the influence of various factors such as time and extraction temperature, desorption time and temperature, pH, and ionic strength and content in tannins, anthocyans, sucrose, SO(2), and alcoholic degree was conducted. These factors were optimized using a synthetic wine doped with the different analytes. The proposed method affords wide ranges of linearity, good linearity (r(2) > 0.998), values of repeatability and reproducibility lower than 5.5% of RSD, and detection limits ranging from 0.62 μg/L for β-damascenone to 129.2 μg/L for acetoin. Therefore, the optimized method was applied to the quantitative analysis of the aforementioned analytes in real samples of wines.

Experimental choices for the determination of carbonyl compounds in air

The analysis of carbonyls in ambient air has received a great deal of scientific attention with the advancement of analytical techniques and increased demand for the build-up of its data base. In this review article, we have attempted to provide some insight into the relative performance of different instrumental approaches available for the analysis of ambient carbonyls with a major emphasis on high performance liquid chromatographic and gas chromatographic methods. Reported in several international standard procedures, derivatization of carbonyls with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH) with either an impinger or cartridges is the most commonly used method of HPLC detection. In this respect, a number of alternative hydrazine reagents have also been discussed for use with HPLC. In contrast, GC methods based on the combined application of adsorptive enrichment on solid sorbents and thermal desorption are examined with regard to their suitability for carbonyl analysis in air. Particular emphasis has been directed towards the advantages and drawbacks of these different instrumental techniques for ambient carbonyls. Based on this comparative approach, we discuss the suitability for each method for carbonyl analysis.

On-line derivatization for resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry: detection of aliphatic aldehydes and amines via reactive coupling of aromatic photo ionization labels

Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (REMPI-TOFMS) is a powerful technique for the on-line analysis of aromatic compounds with unique features regarding selectivity and sensitivity. Aliphatic compounds, however, are difficult to address by REMPI due to their unfavorable photo ionization properties. This paper describes the proof of concept for an on-line derivatization approach for converting nonaromatic target analytes into specific, photoionizable aromatic derivatives that are readily detectable by REMPI-TOFMS. A multichannel silicone trap or poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) open tubular capillary was used as a reaction medium for the derivatization of volatile alkyl aldehydes and alkylamines with aromatic "photoionization labels"and to concentrate the resulting aromatic derivatives. The aldehydes formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, and crotonal, which when underivatized are poorly detectable by REMPI, were converted into their easily photoionizable phenylhydrazone derivatives by the on-line reaction with phenylhydrazine as reagent. Similarly, the methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butylamines were converted into their REMPI-ionizable benzaldehyde alkylimine derivatives by the on-line reaction with benzaldehyde as reagent. The derivatives were thermally desorbed from the PDMS matrix and transferred into the REMPI-TOFMS for detection. The REMPI-TOFMS detection limits obtained for acetaldehyde; acrolein; crotonal; and methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butylamine using this photo ionization labeling method were in the sub-parts-per-million range and, thus, readily below the permissible exposure limits set by OSHA.

Gas chromatographic quantification of aliphatic aldehydes in freshly distilled Calvados and Cognac using 3-methylbenzothiazolin-2-one hydrazone as derivative agent

A new precise and sensitive method was used for the quantification of aliphatic aldehydes from C5 to C11 in highly ethanolic beverages such as freshly distilled spirits. Carbonyl compounds were derivatized using 3-methylbenzothiazolin-2-one hydrazone (MBTH) and then separated and detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Selective mass spectrometric detection of molecular ions of derivatives was performed to obtain a good sensibility (0.2-1.2 microg l(-1)) and a good selectivity. For a concentration of 20 microg l(-1), relative standard deviations were lower than 10% except for heaviest compounds (decanal and undecanal) where RSD were between 11 and 13%. The concentrations of aliphatic aldehydes were determined in nine samples of freshly distilled Calvados and two samples of freshly distilled Cognac with highest concentrations reported for 3-methylbutanal (from 170 to 1220 microg l(-1) in Calvados and from 1540 to 5500 microg l(-1) in Cognac). 3-Methylbutanal and hexanal, due to their low detection thresholds, could be important olfactive markers of these two products. Less than 1h30 is required to quantify the nine studied aliphatic aldehydes in freshly distilled spirits.

Analytical methods for trace levels of reactive carbonyl compounds formed in lipid peroxidation systems

Analysis of trace levels of reactive carbonyl compounds (RCCs), including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, malonaldehyde, glyoxal, and methyl glyoxal, is extremely difficult because they are highly reactive, water soluble, and volatile. Determination of these RCCs in trace levels is important because they are major products of lipid peroxidation, which is strongly associated with various diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, aging, and atherosclerosis. This review covers the development and application of various derivatives for RCC analysis. Among the many derivatives which have been prepared, cysteamine derivatives for formaldehyde and acetaldehyde; N-hydrazine derivatives for acrolein, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, and malonaldeyde; and o-phenylene diamine derivatives for glyoxal and methyl glyoxal were selected for extended discussion. The application of advanced instruments, including gas chromatograph with nitrogen-phosphorus detector (GC/NPD), mass spectrometer (MS), high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC), GC/MS, and LC/MS, to the determination of trace RCCs in various oxidized lipid samples, including fatty acids, skin lipids, beef fats, blood plasma, whole blood, and liver homogenates, is also discussed.

Carbonyl odorants contributing to the in-oven roast beef top note

Among the few papers related to the gas chromatography (GC)-olfactometric determination of important odorants in cooked beef aroma, only one uses roasting conditions, but none of them investigates the appealing aroma during the cooking of the piece of meat. The present paper investigates this top note as perceived from the oven, by analyzing the oven headspace using GC-"SNIF", a GC-olfactometric technique. From the different functional classes of odorants participating in overall in-oven aroma, this first paper focuses only on the role of aldehydes and ketones, as they represent the majority of aroma compounds formed during cooking. To ascertain the identification of these odorants, a microderivatization technique was used, based on (2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)hydrazine. The resulting hydrazones exhibit very specific mass spectrometric fragments, leading to a sensitive and specific detection. A total of 23 carbonyl compounds were shown to contribute to the roast beef top note.

Determination of low-molecular mass aldehydes by automated headspace solid-phase microextraction with in-fibre derivatisation

Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) analysis of low-molecular mass (C1-C10) aldehydes in aqueous solutions was investigated, using pentafluorophenylhydrazine (PFPH) and o-2,3,4,5,6-(pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine hydrochloride (PFBHA) as in-fibre derivatisation reagents. Analysis of the derivatives was achieved, using GC-flame ionisation detection (FID). A comparison of the two reagents showed that PFBHA was superior to PFPH under the investigated conditions. Fundamental studies of the PFBHA and PFPH reactions showed that the kinetics of the process was limited by the mass transport rate of the analytes to the fibre. The developed PFBHA method gave detection limits in the low to sub-microgram per litre range for most of the aldehydes tested. The method was applied successfully to the analysis of particleboard, wine and fish samples.

Comparison of different extraction methods for the analysis of volatile secondary metabolites of Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown, grown in Colombia, and evaluation of its in vitro antioxidant activity

Hydrodistillation (HD), simultaneous distillation solvent extraction (SDE), microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MWHD), and supercritical fluid (CO2) extraction (SFE) were employed to isolate volatile secondary metabolites from fresh leaves and stems of Colombian Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown. Kovàts indices, mass spectra or standard compounds were used to identify around 40 components in the various volatile fractions. Carvone (40-57%) was the most abundant component, followed by limonene (24-37%), bicyclosesquiphellandrene (5-22%), piperitenone (1-2%), piperitone (ca. 1.0%), and beta-bourbonene (0.6-1.5%), in the HD, SDE, MWHD, and SFE volatile fractions. Static headspace (S-HS), simultaneous purge and trap in solvent (CH2Cl2) (P&T), and headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) were used to sample volatiles from fresh L. alba stems and leaves. The main components isolated from the headspace of the fresh plant material were limonene (27-77%), carvone (14-30%), piperitone (0.3-0.5%), piperitenone (ca. 0.4%), and beta-bourbonene (0.5-6.5%). The in vitro antioxidant activity of L. alba essential oil, obtained by hydrodistillation was evaluated by determination of hexanal, the main carbonyl compound released by linoleic acid subjected to peroxidation (1 mm Fe2+, 37 degrees C, 12 h), and by quantification of this acid as its methyl ester. Under the same conditions, L. alba HD-essential oil and Vitamin E exhibited similar antioxidant effects.

Automated method for determination of glutardialdehyde residues in flexible endoscopes after disinfection

Glutardialdehyde (GDA) is the most commonly used disinfectant for flexible endoscopes. After inappropriate rinsing of endoscopes residual GDA in the narrow endoscope channels may lead to toxic effects in patients. Common methods for determination of aldehydes in water involve derivatization with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH), liquid-liquid or solid-phase extraction and HPLC determination. Since derivatization and extraction is both time-consuming and labor-intensive only a small number of samples can be measured. Thus, we developed a fully automated method which includes a conventional HPLC system, a programmable autosampler, and UV detection. After GDA derivatization using DNPH the samples remain in the aqueous phase and no preconcentration of the analyte is necessary. The samples are automatically derivatized through the autosampler. While derivatization in one sample takes place the previous sample is injected and measured by HPLC. Our method is well suited for screening residual GDA in endoscopes as it is both time- and labor-saving.

Electroanalytical properties of aldehyde biosensors with a hybrid-membrane composed of an enzyme film and a redox Os-polymer film

Aldehyde biosensors were constructed by cross-linking formaldehyde dehydrogenase (FDH) or aldehyde dehydrogenase (ADH) and bovine serum albumin on the surface of a redox Os-polymer-coated electrode. The prepared aldehyde biosensors responded rapidly (within 30 s) to aldehydes without the addition of a soluble mediator, because the inner redox Os-polymer film effectively mediated the electron transfer from NADH generated enzymatically into the outer enzyme film to a glassy carbon electrode. An FDH/Os-polymer electrode responded linearly over the concentration range of 2 x 10(-6)-5 x 10(-4) M for formaldehyde, while an ADH/Os-polymer electrode, though responding similarly to long chain aldehydes, such as propionaldehyde and butylaldehyde, responded linearly over the concentration range of 4 x 10(-6)-2 x 10(-4) M for acetaldehyde.

Microwave-assisted derivatization of volatile carbonyl compounds with O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine

A method for the determination of carbonyl compounds, either directly from gaseous phase or following a volatilization from liquid or solid samples after trapping on Tenax TA is presented. Following solvent desorption, the carbonyls are derivatized using O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine. The reaction is accomplished in a microwave oven using closed vessels to minimize reaction time compared to conventional methodology. The solvent for the chemical reaction was selected according to the requirements of microwave energy interaction and solubility. After gas chromatographic separation of the corresponding oximes, they are detected using electron impact mass spectrometry in single ion monitoring mode. Quantification is carried out using internal standardization with 3-fluorobenzaldehyde, resulting in limits of detection in the ppm range following the calibration graph method. The optimized conditions provide for good recoveries and fast reaction rates for the volatile carbonyls studied so far.

Solid-phase microextraction with on-fibre derivatisation applied to the analysis of volatile carbonyl compounds

We have used a fast, sensitive and efficient method for the analysis of volatile carbonyl compounds (saturated aliphatic and unsaturated aldehydes) based on solid-phase microextraction with on-fibre derivatisation. Pentafluorophenylhydrazine was absorbed onto a poly(dimethylsiloxane)/divinylbenzene-coated fibre and exposed to the vapours of aldehyde-containing matrices. The hydrazones formed on the fibre were desorbed into the gas chromatograph injection port and quantified by means of electron-capture detection with high sensitivity (10-90 fmol) and good reproducibility (RSD<10%). The method was applied to the headspace-sampling of volatile carbonyl compounds released during the thermally-induced degradation of sunflower oil.

Chromatographic analysis of minor constituents in vegetable oils

The main group of minor constituents belonging to vegetable oils are reviewed. Their importance in the characterization, origin and detection of oil mixtures are considered. Also, the determination of these minor components is of great value in establishing the oil quality and their genuineness. The most commonly used procedures (including the Official methodologies) normally applying chromatographic techniques are reviewed. The interference of each component within the determination of the other minor constituents are discussed. Furthermore, novel procedures for determining those compounds are also presented.

Using N-aminoperylene-3,4:9,10-tetracarboxylbisimide as a fluorogenic reactand in the optical sensing of aqueous propionaldehyde

Aldehydes are usually determined via chemical derivatization using a chromogenic and fluorogenic reagent followed by chromatographic separation and UV-visible detection. As a consequence, continuous on-line monitoring is impossible. Following our concept of reversible chemical reactions as the basis of optical sensors, we have investigated N-amino-N'-(1-hexylheptyl)perylene-3,4:9,10-tetracarboxylbisimide for aldehyde sensing. The fluorogenic reactand has been embedded in plasticized PVC, and the resulting thin layers have been exposed to aqueous samples of aliphatic aldehydes and ketones. The reactand exhibits a pronounced increase in fluorescence upon interaction with aldehydes since the chemical reaction causes a dequenching of perylene fluorescence. Upon interaction with aqueous propionaldehyde, sensor layers typically exhibit a dynamic range from 5 to 100 mM propionaldehyde, and the limit of detection amounts to 0.08 mM. The forward and reverse response time (t95) for a decade change in activity is in the range of 2-7 min, when measured at pH 2.5. The selectivity of sensor layers toward aldehydes correlates with their lipophilicity in that aldehydes with higher lipophilicity are more efficiently extracted into the polymer layer.

Biomarkers of free radical damage applications in experimental animals and in humans

Free radical damage is an important factor in many pathological and toxicological processes. Despite extensive research efforts in biomarkers in recent years, yielding promising results in experimental animals, there is still a great need for additional research on the applicability of, especially non-invasive, biomarkers of free radical damage in humans. This review gives an overview of the applications in experimental and human situations of four main groups of products resulting from free radical damage, these include: lipid peroxidation products, isoprostanes, DNA-hydroxylation products and protein hydroxylation products.

Direct observation of lipid hydroperoxides in phospholipid vesicles by electrospray mass spectrometry

Positive ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was used to obtain a lipid profile of vesicles prepared from egg yolk lethicin and enriched with arachidonylstearoyl phosphatidylcholine and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine. The vesicles were oxidized by treatment with tert-butylhydroperoxide and iron (II) sulfate, and the formation of hydroperoxides of the polyunsaturated lipid arachidonylstearoyl phosphatidylcholine was observed. The native lipid signal at 832 a.m.u. decreased and new signals appeared at 864, 896, and 928 a.m.u., corresponding to the addition of one (+32), two (+64), and three (+96) molecules of dioxygen. The dihydroperoxide was found to be the most favourable peroxide product, but it appeared that a degradation of the hydroperoxides was occurring concomitant with their formation, and only their net formation was observed. The rate of depletion of the polyunsaturated lipid and the rate of accumulation of the hydroperoxides was found to increase with the Fe2+ concentration between 10 microM and 2 mM, and was also dependent on the tert-butylhydroperoxide concentration. This is the first report of analysis of lipid hydroperoxides by electrospray mass spectrometry, showing that technique offers a sensitive, direct, and informative approach to the study of oxidative damage to biological membranes.