• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.323-329
• /
• 2011

BACKGROUND: The conazoles, difenoconazole, diniconazole, hexaconazole, penconazole and tetraconazole are a large class of synthetic fungicides used extensively for foliage and seed treatments in agricultural crops. The extensive use of conazoles has brought concerns on the potentiality of environmental contamination and toxicity. Thus studies on the development of methods for monitoring the conazoles are required. METHODS AND RESULTS: A modified quick, easy, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) method was involved in sample preparation. Quadrapole time of flight mass spectrometer (Q-TOF MS) in electron spray ionization (ESI) mode was employed to determine conazoles in garlic samples. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of conazoles by Q-TOF-MS ranged from 0.001 to 0.002 mg/L and 0.002 to 0.005 mg/L, respectively. Q-TOF-MS analysis exhibited less than 2.6 ppm error of accurate mass measurements for the detection of conazoles spiked at 0.05 mg/L in garlic matrix. Recovery values of conazoles fortified in garlic samples at 0.02, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/L were between 79.2 and 106.2% with a maximum 11.8% of standard deviation. No detectable conazoles were found in the domestic market samples by using the Q-TOF-MS method. CONCLUSION(s): High degree of confirmation for conazoles by accurate mass measurements demonstrated that Q-TOF-MS analysis combined with a QuEChERS method may be applicable to simultaneous determination of conazoles in garlic samples.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.134-143
• /
• 2005

Collagen is the important structural proteins in mammals with various peptide composition and cross-linkings. The direct analysis of collagen protein was not suitable because of its structural complexity and diversity. In this study, we suggest the simple way of collagen analysis by introducing matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to identify the collagen and its trypsin-digested fragments, and by subsequent time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(Q-TOF MS/MS) to analyze the amino acid sequences of identified fragments. Using the collagen samples extracted from the tail of mouse, 10 separated bands were found in SDS-PAGE, and the masses of most bands could be more finely determined by MALDI-TOF MS. When each 10 separated proteins was tryptic digested and introduced to MALDI-TOF, the Gly1056-Arg1073 fragment from $\alpha_1$-chain was identified in four bands, and the Gly1056-Arg1073 fragment from $\alpha_2$-chain was identified in five bands, both in type I collagen. Although few fragments were found because of the cross-linkings left in digested collagen sample, it could be determined that the type I collagen existed at least in 7 separated bands. When the amino acid sequences of two identified fragments were analyzed by Q-TOF MS/MS, both sequences were identical with those determined by MALDI-TOF MS. It suggested that the two peaks in MALDI-TOF MS caused by the fragments identified in this work could be used as the fingerprint to simply identify type I collagen in protein samples.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.45-49
• /
• 2016

An UHPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS analytical method was developed for cyclopeptide alkaloids in the seeds of Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa (Semen Ziziphi Spinosae), which is a commonly used herb in Chinese and Korean traditional medicines. Considering the basicity of cyclopeptide alkaloids, a specific separation method was developed for an UHPLC system. The compounds were detected by DAD and ESI-qTOF-MS, and their fragmentation patterns were also acquired by MS^E technologies. Peak-picking of major compounds was performed with nine previously isolated compounds and two reference standard compounds. Tandem MS fragmentation behaviors of type-Ia and -Ib cyclopeptide alkaloids were investigated with the acquired data to develop a strategy for dereplication of other cyclopeptide alkaloid compounds in Z. jujuba var. spinosa. Two more cyclopeptide alkaloids were tentatively identified with UHPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS using this method.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.58 no.1
• /
• pp.50-56
• /
• 2013

For accurate analysis of low molecular peptides using SELDI-TOF MS (surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry), the optimized analytical conditions should be established for a specific biological sample. This study was conducted to optimize SELDI-TOF MS analytical conditions for profiling low molecular peptide below 10 kDa presented in sorghum seeds. Analytical conditions were as follows; (1) protein chips: CM10 (weak cation exchanger) and Q10 (strong anion exchanger), (2) dilution factors of binding buffer: 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/20, 1/50, 1/100, and 1/200, (3) the stringency of Q10 binding buffer: 10 mM and 100 mM, and (4) protein extraction buffers: sodium borate, sodium borate + acetone, phenol, and TCA buffers. Optimum dilution factors were selected as 1/20 and 1/50 in both protein chips, CM10 and Q10. Low stringency of Q10 binding buffer (10mM) detected more peptide peaks than high stringency (100 mM). Selected protein extraction buffers of sorghum seed for SELDI-TOF MS analysis was the sodium borate buffer in the range of 2~10 kDa, while the phenol buffer was more suitable in the range of 10~20 kDa.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.29-37
• /
• 2019

Purpose DMIDR(Discovery Molecular Imaging Digital Ready, General Electric Healthcare, USA) is a PET/CT scanner designed to allow application of PSF(Point Spread Function), TOF(Time of Flight) and Q.Clear algorithm. Especially, Q.Clear is a reconstruction algorithm which can overcome the limitation of OSEM(Ordered Subset Expectation Maximization) and reduce the image noise based on voxel unit. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the performance of reconstruction algorithms and optimize the algorithm combination to improve the accurate SUV(Standardized Uptake Value) measurement and lesion detectability. Materials and Methods PET phantom was filled with $^{18}F-FDG$ radioactivity concentration ratio of hot to background was in a ratio of 2:1, 4:1 and 8:1. Scan was performed using the NEMA protocols. Scan data was reconstructed using combination of (1)VPFX(VUE point FX(TOF)), (2)VPHD-S(VUE Point HD+PSF), (3)VPFX-S (TOF+PSF), (4)QCHD-S-400((VUE Point HD+Q.Clear(${\beta}-strength$ 400)+PSF), (5)QCFX-S-400(TOF +Q.Clear(${\beta}-strength$ 400)+PSF), (6)QCHD-S-50(VUE Point HD+Q.Clear(${\beta}-strength$ 50)+PSF) and (7)QCFX-S-50(TOF+Q.Clear(${\beta}-strength$ 50)+PSF). CR(Contrast Recovery) and BV(Background Variability) were compared. Also, SNR(Signal to Noise Ratio) and RC(Recovery Coefficient) of counts and SUV were compared respectively. Results VPFX-S showed the highest CR value in sphere size of 10 and 13 mm, and QCFX-S-50 showed the highest value in spheres greater than 17 mm. In comparison of BV and SNR, QCFX-S-400 and QCHD-S-400 showed good results. The results of SUV measurement were proportional to the H/B ratio. RC for SUV is in inverse proportion to the H/B ratio and QCFX-S-50 showed highest value. In addition, reconstruction algorithm of Q.Clear using 400 of ${\beta}-strength$ showed lower value. Conclusion When higher ${\beta}-strength$ was applied Q.Clear showed better image quality by reducing the noise. On the contrary, lower ${\beta}-strength$ was applied Q.Clear showed that sharpness increase and PVE(Partial Volume Effect) decrease, so it is possible to measure SUV based on high RC comparing to conventional reconstruction conditions. An appropriate choice of these reconstruction algorithm can improve the accuracy and lesion detectability. In this reason, it is necessary to optimize the algorithm parameter according to the purpose.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2020

In this study, some of the recently reported data processing strategies were evaluated and modified based on their capabilities and a brief workflow for data mining was redefined for Q-TOF LC-MS based untargeted metabolomics. Commercial pooled human plasma samples were used for this purpose. An ultrafiltration procedure was applied on sample preparation. Sample set was analyzed through Q-TOF LC/MS. A C18 column (Agilent Zorbax 1.8 µM, 50 × 2.1 mm) was used for chromatographic separation. Raw chromatograms were processed using XCMS - R programming language edition and Isotopologue Parameter Optimization (IPO) was used to optimize XCMS parameters. The raw XCMS table was processed using MS Excel to find reliable and reproducible peaks. Totally 1650 reliable and reproducible potential metabolite peaks were found based on the data processing procedures given in this paper. The redefined dataset was upload into MetaboAnalyst platform and the identified metabolites were matched with 86 metabolic pathways. Thus, two list were obtained and presented in this study as supplement files. The first list is to present the retention times and m/z values of detected metabolite peaks. The second list is the metabolic pathways related with the identified metabolites. The briefly described data processing strategies and dataset presented in this study could be beneficial for the researchers working on untargeted metabolomics for processing their data and validating their results.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.277-290
• /
• 2012

The metabolic profiles of Panax quinquefolius and its associated therapeutic values are critically affected by the repetitious steaming times. The times-dependent steaming effect of P. quinquefolius is not well-characterized and there is also no official guideline on its times of steaming. In this paper, a UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS method was developed for the qualitative profiling of multi-parametric metabolic changes of raw P. quinquefolius during the repetitious steaming process. Our method was successful in discriminating the differentially multi-steamed herbs. Meantime, the repetitious steaming-inducing chemical transformations in the preparation of black American ginseng (American ginseng that was subjected to 9 cycles of steaming treatment) were evaluated by this UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS based chemical profiling method. Under the optimized UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS conditions, 29 major ginsenosides were unambiguously identified and/or tentatively assigned in both raw and multi-steamed P. quinquefolius within 19 min, among them 18 ginsenosides were detected to be newly generated during the preparatory process of black American ginseng. The mechanisms involved were further deduced to be hydrolysis, dehydration, decarboxylation and addition reactions of the original ginsenosides in raw P. quinquefolius through analyzing mimic 9 cycles of steaming extracts of 14 pure reference ginsenosides. Our novel steaming times-dependent metabolic profiling approach represents the paradigm shift in the global quality control of multi-steamed P. quinquefolius products.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.379-389
• /
• 2017

In this study, we set up an analytical method that can be used for rapid and accurate determination of representative isoquinoline alkaloids in medicinal plants using UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF MS (ultra pressure liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry). The compounds were eluted on a C18 column with 0.1 % formic acid and acetonitrile, and separated with good resolution within 13 min. Each of the separated components was characterized by precursor ions (generated by ESI-Q-TOF) and fragment ions (produced by collision-induced dissociation, CID), which were used as a reliable database. We also performed method validation: analytes showed excellent linearity ($R^2$, 0.9971-0.9996), LOD (5-25 ng/mL), LOQ (17-82 ng/mL), accuracy (91.6-97.4 %) as well as intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD, 1.8-3.2 %). In the analysis of Chelidonium majus L., magnoflorine, coptisine, sanguinarine, berberine and palmatine were detected by matching retention times and characteristic fragment ion patterns of reference standards. We also confirmed that, among the quantified components, coptisine was present in the highest quantity. Furthermore, alkaloid profiling was carried out by analyzing the fragment ion patterns corresponding to peaks of unknown components. In this manner, protopine, chelidonine, stylopine, dihydroberberine, canadine, and nitidine were tentatively identified. We also proposed the molecular structure of the fragment ions that appear in the mass spectrum. Therefore, we concluded that our suggested method for the determination of major isoquinoline alkaloids by UPLC-Q-TOF can be useful not only for quality control, but also for rapid and accurate investigation of phytochemical constituents of medicinal plants.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2010.05a
• /
• pp.5-5
• /
• 2010

Selection of specific medicinal sources as well as bioactive compounds is important for the preparation of medicine and related products with good quality. It is necessary to pay close attention for choosing correct medicinal sources, particularly in case of medicinal plants, because of their diversity, which can affect the quality and efficacy of medicine. Discrimination of plants based on morphological or genetic characteristics has been used as a conventional classification method of pharmaceutical sources so far; however, more need demands more general methods for accurate quality assessment of medicinal plants. In this study, ultra performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF MS) technique applied to this metabolic profiling is a powerful tool due to its higher sensitivity, resolution, and speed compared to conventional HPLC technique. The metabolite profiling of several medicinal plants including Panax ginseng was carried out using UPLC/Q-TOF MS and total metabolites were then subsequently applied to various statistical tools to compare the patterns. The developed metabolomics tool with UPLC/Q-TOF MS successfully identified and classified the samples tested according to their origins.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.36-40
• /
• 2020

Untargeted metabolomics is a useful tool for drug development focusing on novel chemotherapeutic and chemopreventative agents against cancer cells. In recent years, quadrupole time of flight liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (Q-TOF LC/MS)-based untargeted metabolomic approaches have gained importance to evaluate the effect of these agents at the molecular level. The researchers working on cell culture studies still do not apply standardized methodologies on sample preparation for untargeted metabolomics approaches. In this study, the rough and wet lysis techniques performed on MCF-7 breast cancer cells were compared with each other via the Q-TOF LC/MS-based metabolomic approach. The C18 and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) columns were used for the separation of the metabolites in MCF-7 cell lysates. 505 peaks were detected through the HILIC column and 551 peaks were found through the C18 column for the wet lysis technique. This situation supported by the base peak chromatograms showed that the wet lysis technique allowed us to extract higher number of non-polar metabolites. Almost equal number of metabolites was found for the C18 and HILIC columns (697 peaks for the HILIC column and 695 peaks for the C18 column) when the rough lysis technique was used. However, the intensities of polar metabolites were higher for the rough lysis technique on base peak chromatograms for both the HILIC and C18 columns. Although cell lysis technique, which is the first step in the sample preparation for cell culture studies, does not cause dramatic differences in the number of the detected metabolite peaks, it affects the polar and non-polar metabolite ratio significantly. Therefore, it must be considered carefully especially for in vitro drug development studies.