Classifying Cheeses by Volatile APCI (vAPCI) Compact Mass Spectrometry

Cheese is one of the world’s most popular food types, with a wide variety available for consumers. The characteristic scents and flavors of cheeses stem from a complex mixture of chemicals, including free fatty acids. Use mass spectrometry to characterize the different volatile profiles of cheese.

In this application note, we demonstrate the capability of the Advion expression® Compact Mass Spectrometer (CMS) to analyze volatile fatty acids of various types of cheeses using volatile APCI (vAPCI). By heating the cheese samples, we released various volatile compounds and analyzed the headspace without any sample preparation or derivatization. We then performed statistical analysis to group the cheese samples by their volatile profiles.

 

Sudan Dyes Analysis Using Compact Mass Spectrometry with TLC Interface

Sudan Dyes are synthesized azo-dyes which are widely used to generate color in plastics, leather, fabrics, oil, waxes, etc. They are classified as Group 3 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and are banned as food additives worldwide. However, in some countries these dyes are still occasionally used in order to intensify the color in products. In this note, a TLC/CMS method using expression® compact mass spectrometer (CMS) coupled with the Plate Express™ Interface is introduced for the detection of 7 Sudan dyes in a chili matrix.

Screening of Dietary Supplements by ASAP® Compact Mass Spectrometry

In this application note, we demonstrate the use of the Advion expressionL CMS with an atmospheric solids analysis probe (ASAP) ion source to analyze two supplements (figure 1) that contain DMBA, a synthetic stimulant that has not been tested on humans. The substance is the chemical cousin to drug DBAA, which is currently banned by the US FDA. The efficacy and safety of DMBA is entirely unknown, yet it is present in many supplements.

 

Real-time and near real-time Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Analysis by vAPCI- Compact Mass Spectrometry

The Loughborough University team has utilized the expression® CMS vAPCI source for a variety of applications including breath analysis, monitoring flavor and fragrance, plant metabolomics, food authenticity and spoilage, and microbiological monitoring. With the use of the expression® CMS, the team was able to successfully execute detection required for these applications quickly and easily.

A Medicinal Chemist’s View on using the Advion CMS

Explore how the expression CMS has been used by the Drug Discovery Unit at the University of Dundee. Learn how the medical chemistry team has integrated the instrument in to their everyday workflow. The team required a system with a small footprint that can be moved between labs, but was still capable of integrating with systems in their well-equipped laboratories. The expression CMS fit the needs of the organization and increased efficiencies in the lab.

Determination of emerging nitrogenous economic adulterants in milk proteins by high-performance liquid chromatography/compact mass spectrometry

J. Draher, S. Ehling, N. Cellar, T. Reddy, J. Henion, N. Sousou Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 2016, 30, 1265–1272

Milk-derived ingredients are widely used around the world in the manufacturing of nutritional products. They are prone to economically motivated adulteration with nitrogenous compounds such as melamine and its analogs in order to increase the nitrogen content of these ingredients. The need to rapidly screen milk-derived ingredients to detect adulteration is of paramount public health concern. A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS)-based method using a single quadrupole mass spectrometer has been developed for the rapid frontline analysis of six nitrogenous protein adulterants, i.e. melamine, ammeline, ammelide, amidinourea, cyromazine and cyanuric acid, in three key milk-derived ingredients, i.e. whole milk powder, nonfat milk powder and whey protein concentrate.

University of North Carolina, Biomedical Research Imaging Center (BRIC)

Q: WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF YOUR LAB’S RESEARCH?

A: My research at the Biomedical Research Imaging Center (BRIC) focuses on the development and validation of novel radiolabeling methods and multimodality molecular imaging probes for various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, neuro-disease, and cardio vasculature disease. To be more specific, the major efforts of my current research include: 1) developing novel radiochemistry for cancer diagnosis, neuroimaging, cardiac imaging, diabetic research, drug discovery and development, and targeted radionuclide therapy;  2) developing multimodality molecular imaging agents; 3) developing novel nanotechnology and studying its biomedical applications; 4) developing pre-targeted drug delivery system for cancer imaging and therapy; and 5) performing PET related translational research.

Q: WHAT WAS YOUR PREVIOUS WORK FLOW OR CHALLENGES?

A: Sometimes we have a reaction, and we do not know which peak contained the product, so we send the sample to the mass spectrometry facility to be analyzed. Additionally, there are times when we have 10-20 peaks, and it is impossible to collect them all to be sent.

Q: WHY DID YOU INCORPORATE THE EXPRESSION® CMS INTO YOUR LABORATORY?

A: The convenience of having a mass spectrometer in our laboratory means that we can increase working efficiencies by not waiting 2-3 days for results from the LC lab. The expression® CMS is a good system for routine analysis.

Q: TO WHOM WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE EXPRESSION® CMS?

A: I recommend the expression® CMS to any traditional organic and radiochemistry laboratory. I am impressed by the smaller size and by how simple it is to operate. We were able to use it quickly.

Benjamin List, Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Department for Homogeneous Catalysis


2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Recipient 

 

October 6, 2021: The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021 to:

  • Benjamin List • Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
  • David W.C. MacMillan • Princeton University, USA

“for the development of asymmetric organocatalysis”

Building molecules is a difficult art. Benjamin List and David MacMillan are awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021 for their development of a precise new tool for molecular construction: organocatalysis. This has had a great impact on pharmaceutical research, and has made chemistry greener.

Benjamin List, a true leader in chemistry, is an exceptional user of the expression® Compact Mass Spectrometer in the List Research Group. Read his full interview featuring the Nobel Prize announcement here.

 

Q: WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF YOUR LAB’S RESEARCH?

A: Our group focuses on the development of new catalysis concepts within the areas of organocatalysis, transition metal catalysis, and, to some extent, biocatalysis. Since 1999, our group concentrates on enantioselective organocatalysis as a fundamental approach complementing biocatalysis and transition metal catalysis. We have a profound interest in developing “new reactions”, designing and identifying new principles for the development of organocatalysts, expanding the scope of already developed catalysts, using organocatalysis in the synthesis of natural products and pharmaceuticals, and also investigating the mechanism by which organocatalysts activate their substrates. Furthermore, in 2005 our group has first conceptualized another approach to asymmetric catalysis, namely asymmetric counteranion directed catalysis (ACDC). This idea has not only progressed within the department but also at other institutions around the globe into a general strategy for asymmetric synthesis applied in organocatalysis as well as in transition metal catalysis and Lewis acid catalysis.

Q: WHATE WAS YOUR PREVIOUS WORK FLOW OR CHALLENGE?

A: The design and development of new asymmetric catalysts usually requires finding novel synthesis routes. Real-time characterization of the desired products and side products in the synthesis of new catalysts and precursors as well as in the exploration of novel reactions is thus very important with regard to saving time and costs.

Q: WHY DID YOU INCORPORATE THE EXPRESSION® CMS INTO YOUR LABORATORY?

A: We wanted an analytical method that allows a rapid characterization of reaction products combined with the lowest effort of sample preparation. The expression® Compact Mass Spectrometer coupled with Plate Expres® is the method of choice to provide reliable mass data directly from TLC plates and ASAP® (Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe) allows for direct analysis from solutions and solid substances without any sample preparation. In addition, the easy and fast possibility of changing the ion sources between ESI and APCI gives us a wide range of options to characterize our analytes from non-polar to very polar compounds in both positive and negative mode simultaneously.

Q: TO WHOM WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE EXPRESSION® CMS?

A: We recommend the expression® Compact Mass Spectrometer coupled with Plate Express® to any group with a focus on organic synthesis for usage as a routine tool to monitor chemical reactions.

Chemically Tracking Spoilage of Meat Using Volatile Mass Spectrometry

This application note demonstrates the use of the Advion Interchim Scientific expression® CMS (compact mass spectrometer) coupled with a volatile APCI (vAPCI) ion source to directly detect several key chemicals given off of meat as it spoils at ambient temperature. Evolution of putrescine, cadaverine, and indole were measured  over several days as meat spoiled.