Natural products, the underlying active components and their use in traditional medicine are of increased interest in the field of pharmaceutical research. The naturally occurring active ingredients are ideal chemical starting structures to improve upon in the pharmaceutical drug development process and consequently half of all currently approved drugs in the US are based on natural products. It is therefore not surprising that natural product analysis is a field of major interest world wide. Here, we present a simple example of the added benefits of mass spectrometry in typical natural product analysis workflows based on an alcoholic extract of nutmeg.
The expression compact mass spectrometer (CMS) is a novel high performance, easy-to-use single quadrupole mass spectrometer with enhanced scan speed and the ability for on-line polarity switching and in-source fragmentation.
Analysis of the active components of the cannabis sativa plant is required both for law enforcement where these compounds are illegal and also as a tool for product control and optimization in the increasing number of legal markets for cannabis plant products. Whenever simple, unequivocal and legally defensible analysis methods for the detection and quantification of plant metabolites are required, mass spectrometry is the detector of choice.
Here, we present two simple workflows for the analysis of cannabinoids such as the naturally occuring cannabinol (CBN), the psychoactive ingredient of cannabis sativa, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the degradation product cannabidiol (CBD). Both TLC/FIA/CMS for qualitative detection of cannabinoids, as well as HPLC/CMS for the quantitative determination of THC demonstrate the added benefit of compact mass spectrometry in the analysis of natural products.
With decades of mass spectrometry and chemistry expertise, Advion Interchim Scientific has produced a family of compact mass spectrometers designed for the chemist. The affordability, small size and ease of use make them ideal for use directly at the chemist’s bench, giving immediate answers and informed decisions instead of waiting.
The Advion Interchim Scientific expression® compact mass spectrometer (CMS) is a fast and easy analytical tool for the organic chemist. Ideal for fast reaction monitoring, the expression® CMS features a single quadrupole that can adapt to multiple ionization sources in seconds, including both ESI and APCI. The mass spectrometer works in a variety of applications, including food and beverage, pharmaceutical, biomedical, peptides and proteins, drug discovery and more. The expression® CMS offers a variety of novel sampling techniques, including:
- Direct mass analysis of TLC plates in 30 seconds at the push of a button with Plate Express™
- One-touch analysis of solids and liquid samples with the ASAP® probe
- LC/CMS
- Many more options and configurations to suit your needs
Learn more about the different sample techniques available with the expression® CMS, including fast assay methods for liquids, solids, gases, and even air-sensitive compounds.
Fill out the form to download the full expression® CMS brochure now.
Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2) produced by certain fungi (Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasificus) are toxic metabolites which have been associated with various diseases, such as aflatoxicosis, in livestock, domestic animals and humans throughout the world. Many methods can be used for Aflatoxins analysis, including TLC, HPLC, immunoassay, LCMS etc. Of all the methods, the LC/MS method is considered the preferred technique because of its high selectivity and sensitivity. In this presentation, a simple, cost effective LC/CMS analytical approach is described for the determination of Aflatoxins.
Direct sample analysis is possible via an Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe (ASAP®) combined with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) on a compact mass spectrometer (CMS). This technique allows for the rapid investigation (<30 sec) of material suspected of containing THC/cannabinoids.
Quantitation of Perchlorate by Ion Chromatography with Suppressed Conductivity on the expression CMS
Perchlorate is a synthetic chemical that is used in the manufacture of rocket fuel, fireworks, flares and explosives, and can also be present in bleaches and some fertilizers [1]. The EPA has devised drinking water regulations for Perchlorate to minimize its impact on human health and the environment.
Achieving lower analytical detection limits for Perchlorate in environmental matrices such as drinking water allows regulatory bodies like the EPA make better informed decisions on the degree of contamination of an environmental system, as well as the remedial actions required to limit adverse health and environmental effects.
The expression Compact Mass Spectrometer (CMS) provides lower detection limits and greater selectivity for Perchlorate compared to a conductivity detector (CD). The typical detection limit of a CD is in the mid to high-ppb range, the CMS can detect < 20 ppt.
Q: What is the focus of your lab’s research?
A: Reach Separations is a contract research organization that services chemical, agricultural, pharmaceutical and academic clients.
Capability developed around expertise in separation science, specifically purification/prep.
Q: What previous workflow challenges did you experience?
A: Needed a tool to confirm quality of material (in and out).
Q: Why did you incorporate the expression CMS into your laboratory?
A: We selected the expression CMS for several reasons; proper MS Detector at an attractive price as well as its compact size because our lab space is limited. Advion’s technical support and service is exceptional. Easy to integrate with our wide range of equipment. Vendor relationship that is two way, Advion listens to our needs and ideas.
Q: Who Would you Recommend to purchase the expression CMS?
A: Anyone who needs a reliable mass spectrometer upgrade/addition for existing equipment.
Economic adulteration of milk involves adulteration with nitrogen-rich compounds to interfere with the widely used Kjeldahl protein assay and in ate the total protein content result for economic gains. The economic adulteration issue garnered global attention during the melamine scandal in 2007 which resulted in the sickening and deaths of infants fed with adulterated milk powder. Therefore the ability to rapidly screen milk ingredients in the manufacturing plants for potential economic adulterants is becoming increasingly important.
The current analytical method of choice is based on UPLC-MS/MS which is both expensive and requires considerable expertise for routine use. A simpler and more cost-effective alternative for frontline screening has been developed. The method uses HILIC-based HPLC and single quadrupole mass spectrometry detection to determine the presence of melamine, cyromazin, ammelide and ammeline in milk-based protein commodities.
Register to download this presentation developed by Advion and Abbott Nutrition.
Regardless of the legal status of cannabis and its chemical compounds, both the quality control in legal markets as well as the law enforcement of it’s illegal status require simple, unequivocal and legally defendable analysis methods for the detection and quantification of its major chemical compounds.
Whenever a detector of high selectivity and sensitivity is required, a mass spectrometry based analysis workflow is usually the method of choice and we here demonstrate the analysis of delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Canabidiol (CBD) and Canabinol (CBN) utilizing a novel compact mass spectrometer (expression-S, Advion, NY) coupled to ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) or thin layer chromatography (TLC).
Register to download the presentation featured at ASMS 2014.
Presented by: John P. Shockcor, Director of Life Sciences Business Development, Waters Corp., Visiting Fellow, Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, UK
Description: Profiling low level components in a complex mixture of small molecules can be a challenging task. Although it may be possible to detect many low level components in a complex mixture, characterization is often hindered because fragmentation of these low level components yields peaks below the limit of detection. This problem can be alleviated by using a TriVersa NanoMate assisted approach. In this webinar we will describe how a TriVersa NanoMate coupled to a SYNAPT G2 Hybrid QTof Ion-Mobility Mass Spectrometer can provide critical fragmentation information needed to characterize low level components in lipidomics, drug metabolism studies and natural product profiling. This approach is ideally suited to the use of time-aligned-parallel fragmentation (TAP) which are illustrated by a number of examples.
