Lu Wang, Shanshan Zeng, Teng Chen, Haibin Qu
Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
A promising process analytical technology (PAT) tool has been introduced for batch processes monitoring. Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS), a means of rapid fingerprint analysis, was applied to a percolation process with multi-constituent substances for an anti-cancer botanical preparation. Fifteen batches were carried out, including ten normal operations and five abnormal batches with artificial variations. The obtained multivariate data were analyzed by a multi-way partial least squares (MPLS) model. Control trajectories were derived from eight normal batches, and the qualification was tested by
R2 and
Q2. Accuracy and diagnosis capability of the batch model were then validated by the remaining batches. Assisted with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) determination, process faults were explained by corresponding variable contributions. Furthermore, a batch level model was developed to compare and assess the model performance. The present study has demonstrated that DART-MS is very promising in process monitoring in botanical manufacturing. Compared with general PAT tools, DART-MS offers a particular account on effective compositions and can be potentially used to improve batch quality and process consistency of samples in complex matrices
Ashton D. Lesiak, Rabi A. Musah, Marek A. Domin, Jason R. E. Shepard
Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, NY, Mass Spectrometry Center, Merkert Chemistry Center, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA
Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) served as a method for rapid high-throughput screening of six commercially available "Spice" products, detecting various combinations of five synthetic cannabinoids. Direct analysis in real time is an ambient ionization process that, along with high mass accuracy time-of-flight (TOF)-MS to 0.0001 Da, was employed to establish the presence of cannabinoids. Mass spectra were acquired by simply suspending a small portion of sample between the ion source and the mass spectrometer inlet. The ability to test minute amounts of sample is a major advantage when very limited amounts of evidentiary material are available. In addition, reports are widespread regarding the testing backlogs that now exist because of the large influx of designer drugs. This method circumvents time-consuming sample extraction, derivatization, chromatographic, and other sample preparative steps required for analysis by more conventional mass spectrometric methods. Accordingly, the synthetic cannabinoids AM-2201, JWH-122, JWH-203, JWH-210, and RCS-4 were identified in commercially available herbal Spice products, singly and in tandem, at concentrations within the range of 4-141 mg/g of material. Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry decreases the time necessary to triage analytical evidence, and therefore, it has the potential to contribute to backlog reduction and more timely criminal prosecution.
Gertrud E. Morlock, Petar Ristivojevic, Elena S. Chernetsova
Institute of Nutritional Science, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, and Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 28, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Sophisticated statistical tools are required to extract the full analytical power from high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Especially, the combination of HPTLC fingerprints (image) with chemometrics is rarely used so far. Also, the newly developed, instantaneous Direct Analysis in Real Time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) method is perspective for sample characterization and differentiation by multivariate data analysis. This is a first novel study on the differentiation of natural products using a combination of fast fingerprint techniques, like HPTLC and DART-MS, for multivariate data analysis. The results obtained by the chemometric evaluation of HPTLC and DART-MS data provided complementary information. The complexity, expense, and analysis time were significantly reduced due to the use of statistical tools for evaluation of fingerprints. The approach allowed categorizing 91 propolis samples from Germany and other locations based on their phenolic compound profile. A high level of confidence was obtained when combining orthogonal approaches (HPTLC and DART-MS) for ultrafast sample characterization. HPTLC with selective post-chromatographic derivatization provided information on polarity, functional groups and spectral properties of marker compounds, while information on possible elemental formulae of principal components (phenolic markers) was obtained by DART-MS.