A critical comparison between an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS) method and an enzyme assay for anti-cholinesterase pesticide residue detection in cereal matrices

Abstract

Analytical method development for the control of pesticide residues occurring in dietary significant foodstuffs is of utmost importance considering their potential impact on consumer health and food market sustainability. Depending...

Phospholipidomics in Clinical Trials for Brain Disorders: Advancing our Understanding and Therapeutic Potentials

“… - Matrix interference for small lipid species. The presence of interfering matrix ion peaks below 800 Da interferes with the detection of small molecules - Limited for small, volatile lipids - MALDI-MS is primarily designed for solid and liquid samples and may not be suitable for analyzing gaseous samples [ 141 – 143 ] QQQ-MS (triple quadrupole MS) Involves the use of three quadrupole mass analyzers arranged in series to selectively filter ions based on their mass-to-charge ratios, allowing for precise quantification and structural elucidation of target analytes (such as lipids) in complex mixtures - Precise and quantitative lipid analysis including lipid class separation and species identification - It can differentiate between multiple analytes, even when they have similar mass-to-charge ratios - Excellent sensitivity for lipid quantitation - QQQ-MS is less susceptible to matrix effects compared to some other mass spectrometry techniques - Limited structural information.ires specific lipid standards for quantification - Expensive to purchase, complex setup, operate, and maintain - Developing robust and optimized QQQ-MS methods can be time-consuming and may require significant effort - QQQ-MS may struggle to differentiate between structural isomers, as their mass-to-charge ratios may be identical [ 144 , 145 ] LC-MS (liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry) Combines liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry for separation and analysis of lipid classes - Separation and identification of diverse lipid species - Highly sensitive and capable of detecting and quantifying compounds at very low concentrations - Modern LC-MS instruments offer high mass accuracy and resolution - Suitable for accurate determination of molecular weights and the identification of complex molecules - Can cover broad lipid coverage and is suitable for quantitative lipidomics - LC-MS instruments can be complex and require expertise for operation, maintenance, and data analysis - susceptible to matrix effects - - preparation involves a series of extraction and purification steps, which can lead to the use of toxic organic compounds - Some LC-MS instruments may have a limited mass range, which can restrict their applicability for high-mass or very low-mass compounds. - Method development is laborious and requires extensive optimization to achieve reliable and reproducible results [ 106 , 146 , 147 ] MS/MS (tandem mass spectrometry) Employs two or more mass analyzers in series for structural elucidation and quantification of lipids - Structural characterization of lipid species - High sensitivity for lipid identification - Enhanced specificity compared to single-stage mass spectrometry techniques - MS/MS is less susceptible to matrix effects compared to other MS - Suitable for the detection of trace-level compounds even in the presence of high-abu...…”