QSight Triple Quad 200 Series

Aristolochic acids (AAs) are present in a number of plants, such as aristolochia (birthworts or pipevines) and asarum (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), and are used to treat a number of symptoms and diseases, such as arthritis, gout and inflammation. However, owing to potential renal toxicity and carcinogenicity associated with AAs, the use of aristolochic acid-containing Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) has been curtailed by regulatory agencies.

In Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 (ChP 2020), only one kind of aristolochic acid-containing herb, asarum, can be used. In this application note, a method for the determination of aristolochic acid I in Jiuwei Qianghuo Wan utilizing a PerkinElmer QSight^® LX50 UHPLC system coupled to a QSight 220 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, with Simplicity 3Q^™ software platform, Epic^™ C18 UHPLC column and PerkinElmer consumables is presented.

Tortoise-shell glue (Testudinis Carapacis ET Plastri Colla) is an important and valuable animal-derived Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) made from the dorsal and ventral shells of tortoises. Utilized for thousands of years, tortoise-shell glue is utilized as a health supplement for postpartum women and the elderly. Quality issues resulting from the addition of the shells of other animals has led Chinese Pharmacopeia to develop a method for the qualitative identification of tortoise-shell glue to ensure the authenticity of products.

In this application brief, a regulatory LC/MS/MS solution following ChP 2020 for the qualitative identification of tortoise-shell glue is established with a PerkinElmer QSight^® LX50 UHPLC system coupled to a QSight 220 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, with Simplicity 3Q^™ software platform, PerkinElmer Epic^™ C18 UHPLC columns coupled with PerkinElmer consumables.

Donkey-hide gelatin is a popular gelatinous Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) derived from a complex extraction procedure. As a tool to optimize immune response, improve metabolic balance, and treat gynecological diseases, donkey-hide gelatin has been used in TCM clinics for centuries.

The Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP) Commission promulgated a test method for the quality of bovine hide in donkey-hide gelatin, which was updated in 2015 to utilize LC/MS/MS, and again in 2020 to identify new detection ion pairs and utilize a updated signal-to-noise ratio. In this application brief, a total workflow solution for the qualitative identification of donkey-hide gelatin following ChP 2020 utilizing a PerkinElmer QSight^® LX50 UHPLC system coupled to a QSight 220 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, with Simplicity 3Q^™ software platform, PerkinElmer Epic^™ C18 UHPLC column coupled with PerkinElmer consumables is presented.

Changing the source on many an LC/MS/MS instrument from ESI to APCI, and vice versa, involves cooling the source, manual removal and installation of the new source, followed by heating of the new source to the operating temperature, resulting in low throughput for analyses utilizing both ESI and APCI sources. Conversely, the PerkinElmer QSight LC/MS/MS features a dual ESI and APCI source, allowing for the collection of data in two complementary modes, thus maximizing output from a single injection. This study demonstrates that the QSight 220, with its dual independent sources capable of measuring in both ESI and APCI modes, can cover different classes of compounds with lower limits of quantitation, even in a complex matrix.

Testing for the levels of pesticide and mycotoxins in cannabis is important to ensure consumer safety and quality control. In this work, the PerkinElmer application development team analyzed all 66 pesticides (including very hydrophobic and chlorinated pesticides typically analyzed by GC-MS/MS) and five mycotoxins spiked in cannabis flower extracts well below the action limits specified by the state of California. A LC-MS/MS instrument was used with ESI and APCI sources and a simple solvent extraction method with excellent recoveries for all analytes in acceptable range of 70-120%.

Acrylamide is a probable carcinogen organic compound that is found in some foods that are cooked at elevated temperatures. It’s origins are due to the condensation of the amino acid asparagine and glucose as part of Maillard reaction. In 2002, Acrylamide was found to be present in french fries and baked bread. This compound has now also been found in some other food stuff like coffee, black olives, dried pears, and peanuts. As a result the and World Health Organizations have promptly limited its presence for human consumption.

Aflatoxin B1 is considered to be the most genotoxic of the mycotoxins, and, when ingested by cows, is converted to aflatoxin M1 which has been shown to cause liver cancer in certain animals.

Coix seed, also known as Coix lacryma-jobi, Coicis semen and Job’s tears, is utilized in Traditional Chinese Medicine applications to enhance immunity, induce diuresis, and strengthen the spleen. Aflatoxins, a group of highly toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, have been found in coix seed, and can pose a potential health risk if aflatoxin contaminated seed is consumed. As such, control limits have been established throughout the world for several aflatoxins to minimize the exposure to humans and animals.

In this work, a regulatory LC/MS/MS method for the analysis of aflatoxins in coix seed is established using a PerkinElmer QSight^® LX50 UHPLC system coupled to a QSight 220 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, Simplicity 3Q^™ software platform, PerkinElmer Epic^™ UHPLC column, and immunoaffinity columns.

Due to the large number of pesticides potentially used in rice production, the use of multi-residue methods capable of determining many pesticides in one single run is the most efficient approach. In this study, a fast, sensitive and selective multiresidue method has been developed for analysis of over 200 pesticides in rice samples by coupling a modified QuEChERS extraction method with LC-MS/MS. Using time-managedMRM^™ in the QSight^® triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, the optimum dwell time of multiple MRM transitions can be generated automatically for the targeted analytes.

Mycotoxins produced by fungi as toxic secondary metabolites, leave grains, maize and cereals particularly vulnerable. With this in mind, and considering that an estimated 25% of all crops show some signs of mycotoxin contamination, many countries have established regulatory guidelines for maximum mycotoxin limits in not only feed and grain, but also in processed food products.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are the two most extensively produced and studied of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) owing to their stability in the environment and toxicity to humans and wildlife. The United States Environmental Protection Agency recently updated their Method 537.1 which is the current standard method for analysis of PFAS in drinking water. This validation study shows that the LX50 UHPLC system coupled to the QSight 220 tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer (LC/MS/MS) is an excellent system for the application of EPA Method 537.1 with ample sensitivity to measure all analytes.

Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) are an emerging environmental concern, and include human and veterinary prescription and over-the-counter medications, sunscreens, lotions, soaps, and insect repellants. These commonly encountered products can enter the environment through various sources, including municipal wastewater, polluting ground water, surface water, and even drinking water. The analytical challenge associated with PPCP testing is the wide variety of chemical classes/ types that are typically present at parts per trillion (ng/L) concentrations in drinking water. The automated approach described in this application note allows for significant and efficient analyte concentration, obviating the need for elaborate and time-consuming sample preparation procedures, and thus improving productivity, reducing solvent usage and laboratory waste.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made carbon-chain based compounds that have been widely used in commercial and industrial products such as fire-fighting foams, water proofing treatments for clothing and furniture, nonstick cookware, and paper. PFAS’ are thermally and chemically stable, and resistant to degradation, making them ideal for many applications, but also allows the chemicals to bioaccumulate in the environment, leading to a designation as a contaminant of concern to human health and wildlife.

US EPA promulgated SW-846 Method 8327 for the analysis of PFAS in four non-potable aqueous matrices using external standard calibration and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). In this application note, a fast and robust method for the analysis of all analytes listed in EPA Method 8327 is presented, using a PerkinElmer QSight^® LX50 ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) system coupled with the PerkinElmer QSight 220 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) has become the method of choice for pesticide. The state of Oregon has issued regulatory limits for 59 pesticide residues in both cannabis flower and concentrates, while other states have come up with their own lists of pesticide residues relating to medical marijuana and cannabis testing.

A selective and sensitive LC/MS/MS method for fast identification and analysis of meat samples using three peptides specific for pork as biomarkers. . The optimized sample preparation procedure is easy to follow and can be used for analyzing raw, cooked and processed meat products. This method can selectively detect peptides from pork meat species at a threshold detection limit of 1% w/w (10 mg/g) in a variety of food products and thus the method can be useful for analysis of Halal food (or pork related food products) samples.

Fipronil is a broad-spectrum phenylpyrazole insecticide almost used to protect corps from insects but also to treat lice and ticks in chickens. The U.S. EPA classified fipronil as Group C, possible human carcinogen, therefore International organizations defined admissible limits for the fipronil usage which in egg is of 5 µg/L4. LC-MS/MS technology can provide a robust and reliable method to detect such a contaminant in food.

Aflatoxin B1 is often found in animal feeds such as corn, cottonseed cake, groundnut meal, and other agricultural commodities. When these contaminated feeds are ingested by milk-producing animals, such as cattle, aflatoxin B1 can be converted to aflatoxin M1 (a hydroxy derivate of aflatoxin B1) by oxidation metabolism, and then excreted in milk. To protect consumers from the potential toxicity and carcinogenicity of aflatoxin M1, regulatory agencies have established regulatory limits or action levels for aflatoxin M1 in milk products.

In this study, a simple, fast, selective and sensitive LC/MS/MS method for the analysis of aflatoxin M1 is presented, along with the evaluation of three sample preparation methods.

Coumarin (1,2-benzopyrone) occurs as a natural component in some plants, and is utilized as a flavoring ingredient in some foods, tobaccos and cosmetic products. In recent years, coumarin has been added to electronic cigarette liquid nicotine solutions as a flavoring component, producing a complex flavor profile with aromas of vanilla, almond, cherry and cinnamon. Coumarin has been found to exhibit hepatoxic effects, and has been banned by the FDA in food products, but this ban does not extend to tobacco products, such as electronic cigarettes.

This application note details a method for the analysis of coumarin in electronic cigarette liquid nicotine cartridges, utilizing PerkinElmer UHPLC system coupled to a QSight® 220 triple quadrupole mass detector with a dual ionization source.

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, and are capable of causing disease and death in both humans and animals. Sample preparation is a critical step in the successful analysis of mycotoxins in food matrices. The "dilute and shoot" approach is a quick and easy way to introduce the sample into the LC/MS/MS analysis. However, due to the complexity of food matrices, this approach will often result in irreproducible matrix effects. To overcome these problems and improve sensitivity, this application note details the use of online solid phase extraction (SPE), coupled to an LC/MS/MS system for sample enrichment.

In apiculture, sulfonamides are the most commonly used antibiotics to treat American and European Foulbrood, a type of disease that infects bees. This application note demonstrates how QSight 200 System can provides a very sensitive and robust platform for the analysis of sulfonamides in honey.

Antibiotics are used in dairy cattle for different treatments, but it leads to accumulation of these residues in milk. Presence of such residues in human food can be responsible for allergic reactions, toxic effects and develops resistant strains of bacteria. To protect consumers, regulatory agencies in the European Union published several official documents to regulate the control of veterinary drugs. Council Directive 96/23/EC establishes the veterinary residue control in food producing animals. In India, as per FSSAI (gazette notification dated 20th July 2018) and EIC (RMP for Aquaculture, Egg, Honey, Milk Poultry etc.) it is a mandate to do the analysis of antibiotics. EIC and FSSAI both have maximum residue limits (MRLs) for various antibiotic residues for food matrices from animals. It is essential to test milk for residues of sulfonamides considering safety and prevent exposure of consumers to veterinary drugs. In this work, we present a fast and sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the quantitative analysis of sulfonamides antibiotics in milk.

Beta-adrenergic receptor agonists (ß- agonists) are synthetic drugs utilized in the treatment of conditions such as asthma in humans, and are also used as a growth-promoting agent in food-producing animals. The use of ß- agonists in food-producing livestock has been either banned or regulated across many countries owing to human health concerns.

To aid in the monitoring and detection of ß- agonists in livestock, a highly sensitive and selective analytical method has been developed, and is presented in this study. This LC/MS/MS method details the analysis of 13 ß- agonists in pork samples, and utilizes isotopically-labeled internal standards to compensate for matrix effects present in complex food matrices.

In this work, we present a fast and sensitive LC/MS/MS method

Glyphosate is a very polar compound with high solubility in water and low solubility in most organic solvents and, as such, requires methods based on derivatization which are labor-intensive and time consuming. The present work shows a 12 minute LC-MS/MS method with an amino-based column to analyze glyphosate and other related polar compounds in underivatized states, with exceptional selectivity and sensitivity.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been found to have harmful effects on the health of both humans and wildlife. Of these EDCs, endogenous estrogens, such as estriol, 17ß-estriadiol, and estrone are of particular interest due to their potency/physiological activity even at very low levels. These hormones are particularly challenging to monitor, as concentrations are typically expected to be in the low ng/mL (ppb) to low pg/mL (ppt) range.

To improve sensitivity, this work utilizes the addition of on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) coupled to an LC/MS/MS system for sample enrichment and quantitation. This approach allows for significant/efficient analyte concentration, obviating the need for elaborate and time-consuming sample preparation procedures. Due to enrichment, compared to other methods, large sample volumes (= ½ liter) are no longer needed to reach part per trillion levels for estrogen monitoring in river water.

To protect the health of allergic consumers from the inadvertent or intentional contamination by allergens, different analytical methods for the sensitive detection of allergens in food were developed over the years. In this work we present the performance of a targeted method using the QSight 220 Liquid Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous quantification of milk and egg allergens in thermally processed bakery products.

Pesticides are utilized in a number of agricultural applications to prevent, destroy, or control harmful organisms or diseases, as well as protect plants or plant products during production, storage and transport. Although successful in these applications, pesticides can pose a risk when consumed by animals or humans. As such, the use of pesticides is regulated by a number of governmental agencies around the world. To monitor for pesticides in products intended for human or animal consumption, rapid multi-residue LC/MS/MS analytical methods are needed to accurately and efficiently quantify a large number of pesticides in a variety of matrices. In this application note, a fast, sensitive and selective method, utilizing a PerkinElmer QSight^® 220 LC/MS/MS, is presented for the analysis of 503 pesticides in fruit and vegetable samples.

This work shows a reliable, sensitive and selective method for multi-mycotoxin determination in food samples using a PerkinElmer QSight 220 LC-MS/MS system. The method has been validated in eight different matrices and can be used in routine testing labs to meet regulatory requirements.

The Grape crop is one of the most important fruit crops consumed in the world. Grapes are consumed both as fresh and as processed products, such as wine, jam, juice, jelly, grape seed extract, raisins, vinegar and grape seed oil. A large variety of pesticides are used in grape production throughout its growing season to control pests and diseases in vineyards and to increase crop yield. Pesticide residue is a major concern for the stakeholders of the grape industry, due to more and more stringent regulations and safety standards in most countries.

Haloacetic acids (HAAs) are a class of undesired by-products resulting from the reaction of chlorinated disinfectants with natural organic matter in water, Which is known to be carcinogenic. The Japan Ministry of Health revised the inspection method for HAAs, which led to expansion of the analytical technique to include LC/MS/MS) as an alternative to the GC-MS method.

Aniline and aniline derivatives are widely used as raw materials and intermediates in the polymer, rubber, dye, pesticide and pharmaceutical industries. Unintended releases of aniliane or its derivatives into the environment pose a serious threat, with release possible during any stage of production, storage, transport, use, or disposal. Therefore, it is important and necessary to develop fast, simple, sensitive, selective and efficient methods for the determination of aniline and its derivatives in drinking and environmental waters. The aim of this study is to develop an LC/MS/MS method for rapid analysis of aniline and its derivatives in water samples by direct injection, without using time consuming sample preparation steps.

Cartridges containing cannabis extract or CBD are some of the cannabis industry’s fastest-growing major product categories. It is imperative that the composition of these products is understood to ensure that components in the product do not contribute to e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI). Vitamin E acetate, often used as a thickening agent in the production of vape oils obtained in the illicit market, has been suggested to be a cause for EVALI.

In this application note, an LC/MS/MS method for the determination of vitamin E acetate (tocopherol acetate) in vape oil cartridges is presented. The method, which quantifies vitamin E acetate in less than three minutes utilizing a QSight^® 420 triple quadrupole system, addresses the diversity and complexity of the cannabis and CBD matrix which have historically resulted in interferences that prevent rapid and accurate analysis.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a secondary metabolite produced by Penicillium and Aspergillus fungi species found in soil and organic matter, and is one of the most widely reported of the nearly 400 recognized mycotoxin contaminants of agricultural products. OTA can enter the human food chain through contaminated feed, primarily cereal-based, that is ingested by animals that are farmed for human consumption. OTA can also be found in wine owing to contamination of grapes by some species of Aspergillus, in particular, the strains of A. carbonarius and A. niger.

In this work, a rapid and sensitive analytical method for the determination of the extent to which OTA residues contaminate wine is presented. Utilizing a QSight 220 with both ESI and APCI ionization sources, OTA is detected and quantified in both red and white wine samples at two concentration levels - 0.5 and 2 µg/L.

Wine can often contain pesticides and fungicides that have been sprayed on the fruits during their growing period. In addition to these contaminants, wine can also contain additives that have been deliberately added during production processes to improve its flavor and color. In this study, a simple and sensitive LC-MS/MS method has been developed and applied for the determination of both pesticides and pigments in a single analytical run.

In this study, the QSight LC-MS/MS system was used to evaluate the potential of eliminating sample preparation for trace level pesticide analysis in a complex sample such as wine. We injected undiluted red and white wine samples into the mass spectrometer and studied reproducibility in analysis of the spiked pesticides over 200 injections. The instrument showed excellent reproducibility with minimal signal drift during the duration of the study (over a week), confirming the robustness of the QSight mass spectrometer.

For third party food testing labs or producers who want to conduct aflatoxin M1 analysis in dairy products, our automated aflatoxin M1 ELISA assay and QSight LC/MS/MS aflatoxin M1 analyzer provide sensitive, accurate, and fit for purpose screening and confirmative analysis solutions that you can use out of box.

Feed milling today is a complex business, and agribusinesses both large and small need to balance the nutritional and safety needs of livestock with availability of raw ingredients and their seasonality and variability. Add to that the valuable supplementation and medication that millers supply, and it’s clear: you’re creating a complete nutritional delivery system, not just a simple mix of grains.

The grain industry is very complex. It’s global, diverse, and can also present analytical challenges. Today’s grain users demand more when it comes to quality, safety, and uniformity. In addition, they seek diverse products with unique characteristics.

PerkinElmer is equipped to help the grain industry in its quest to feed the world – nutritiously and economically. Our testing and analysis solutions encompass the three primary areas required for complete knowledge of grains and their derivatives – composition, functionality, and safety.

Pesticides can adversely affect human health through the food we consume but can also leach into soil and groundwater and impact us through the environment. To keep up with a complex and constantly changing regulatory environment, your pesticide analysis solution needs to keep up with your burgeoning sample load.

Whether you’re a lab manager or a bench chemist, you know firsthand how things are changing quickly in food and environmental analysis. And your lab needs to change to keep pace.

Today’s advanced and increasingly diverse chromatography laboratories are facing new challenges on a daily basis – starting from raw materials right up to the finished product. Our comprehensive portfolio of analytical solutions is designed to give you the higher accuracy, sensitivity, and ease of use your laboratory demands for examining with confidence, the purity, composition, and performance of your compounds. What’s more, a range of complementary services is available to keep your laboratory up and running, meeting the stringent requirements of a variety of environments and working practices.

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Our QSight triple quad LC/MS/MS family has always been known for its robust and reliable performance. But now there’s something new – something better: the high performance 400 series.

Our modular Simplicity 3Q™ software is ideal for acquiring, quantifying and reporting

Product Certificate for the QSight 110 & 120

Simulation using sophisticated modeling techniques has become a powerful tool for mass spectrometry

Theoretical Studies of Swirling Flow and Heating Methods on Droplet Evaporation in a Heated Coaxial