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Derivatization gas chromatography negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry for the analysis of trace organic pollutants and their metabolites in human biological samples

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Abstract

Gas chromatography negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC-NCI-MS) is a preferred instrumental approach for the trace and ultra-trace analysis of various toxic organics and their metabolites in human biological fluids. Specifically, the method has played an important role in the highly sensitive and specific quantitative detection of persistent highly halogenated compounds in environmental matrices and biota during the past few decades. However, for the analysis of toxic metabolites with active hydrogen atoms, such as acids, alcohols, and phenolic compounds, from biological matrixes or organics without electronegative atoms or groups, a derivatization step is often needed prior to GC analysis. Such derivatization aims to change the properties of targets to improve their separation, increase their volatility, and enhance the sensitivity of instrumental detection. This review summarizes three derivatization strategies commonly used for GC methods, i.e., alkylation, silylation, and acylation, together with their application combined with GC-NCI-MS for the high sensitivity analysis of toxic organic metabolites in the human body. The advantages and disadvantages of each derivatization method and potential directions for future applications are discussed. Given the broad variety of applications as well as the compound-specific sensitivity for the ultra-trace analysis of target xenobiotics in human biological fluids, subsequent studies are required to develop convenient, faster derivatization procedures and reagents better suited for routine analysis.

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Funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41991310, 41703092, and 41907299), Local Innovative and Research Teams Project of the Guangdong Pearl River Talents Program (2017BT01Z032).

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  1. Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China

    Yan Yang, Meiqing Lin, Jian Tang, Shengtao Ma & Yingxin Yu

  2. Synergy Innovation Institute of GDUT, Shantou, 515100, Guangdong, China

    Yan Yang & Shengtao Ma

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  1. Yan Yang
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  2. Meiqing Lin
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Yang, Y., Lin, M., Tang, J. et al. Derivatization gas chromatography negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry for the analysis of trace organic pollutants and their metabolites in human biological samples. Anal Bioanal Chem 412, 6679–6690 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-020-02762-x

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