At regular intervals throughout the year a local lawn service applies pesticides to the lawn surrounding the Advion headquarters in Ithaca, NY. The grass is very uniform and not a single dandelion or crabgrass plant is visible – so we wondered, what chemical do they use? After an application in the early spring, we sampled the yellow pellets and utilized the Advion expression® CMS (compact mass spectrometer) coupled with a vapor Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (vAPCI) ion source to determine the unknown chemical.
Analyses of Different Grades of Olive Oil by Volatile Mass Spectrometry
In this application note, we demonstrate the use of the Advion Interchim Scientific expression® CMS with a volatile APCI (vAPCI) ion source to analyze extra-virgin, virgin, and lampante olive oil samples. We show statistical analysis allowing us to categorize and identify olive oil samples by their grade. This technique allows us to test individual olive oil samples and determine if they are truly extra-virgin, virgin, or lampante grade.
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.
Application of Mass Spectrometry in Small Molecule Medicinal Chemistry in an Academic Lab
The Montclair University team utilizes the Advion CMS in their undergraduate lab. Essential in the research-focused curriculum, the team was able to purchase the cost effective, small-footprint system to grow their lab capabilities. They later added an APCI module for their growing needs.
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.