Validation of GC-MS/MS for Detection and Confirmation of Low-Level Dioxins Cristian Cojocariu, 1 Paul Silcock, 1 and Alexander Kotz 2 1 Thermo Fisher Scientific, Runcorn, U.K. 2 European Union Reference Laboratory for Dioxins and PCBs in Feed and Food, State Institute for Chemical and Veterinary Analysis of Food (CVUA), Freiburg, Germany Application Note 146 Key Words Food and Feed, Limit of Quantification, TargetQuan, TRACE 131 GC, TSQ 8 Evo GC-MS/MS Goal To validate the use of triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS technology for detection, quantification, and confirmation of low-level dioxins in feed and food samples Introduction Dioxins are highly toxic organic compounds often released into the environment unintentionally, mostly as by-products of human industrial activities (e.g. from the production, use, and combustion of chlorine containing organic compounds) or, to a lesser extent, from natural processes (such as forest fires or volcanic activity). Although the concentration of dioxins in the environment is usually low (parts per trillion level), these compounds are extremely toxic. Dioxins bioaccumulate and persist in the food chain. Humans are exposed to dioxins mainly through ingestion of food of animal origin. Due to their highly toxic potential, even low concentrations of dioxins can have negative effects on human health. They can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and cause cancer. 4 Hence, it is important to accurately detect, confirm, and quantify dioxins in food and feed samples even at low levels. However, detection and confirmation of low dioxin levels in such complex samples is a challenging task, requiring sensitive, selective, and robust analytical instrumentation. Newly introduced European Commission regulations permit the use of GC-MS/MS triple quadrupole technology for dioxin quantification and confirmation. 2, 3 In this study, the Thermo Scientific TSQ 8 Evo triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS is used to detect and confirm low-level dioxins in sample extracts. Moreover, a thorough validation of the TSQ 8 Evo GC-MS/MS for dioxin confirmation is described, including instrument sensitivity, linearity, limits of quantification (LOQs), and measurement precision. In addition, the data acquired using the GC-MS/MS was compared with the sector instrument data acquired for the same sample to assess measurement uncertainties. This work demonstrates that the TSQ 8 Evo triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS delivers consistent results and can be used with confidence to sensitively and selectively detect, quantify, and confirm dioxins in food and feed samples at low concentrations.
2 Table 1. Sample extracts used for dioxin quantification. Mixed Animal Fat Fish Meal Egg Fat 1 Egg Fat 2 Weighted Sample 1. g fat 6.2 g sample (= 1. g fat).52 g fat.51 g fat Lipid Content [%] n/a 16.6 n/a n/a Moisture Content [%] n/a 5.3 n/a n/a Final Volume 4 µl 4 µl 1 µl 1 µl Instrument and Method Setup All of the experiments described below use a TSQ 8 Evo triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS instrument coupled with a Thermo Scientific TRACE 131 GC. Sample introduction is performed with a Thermo Scientific TriPlus RSH autosampler, and chromatographic separation is achieved using a Thermo Scientific TraceGOLD TG-5SilMS 6 m.25 mm I.D..25 µm film capillary column. Additional details of instrument parameters are displayed in table below. Instrument Conditions TRACE 131 GC Injection Volume (μl): 2 Liner: SSL single taper (P/N 453A2342) Inlet ( C): 26 Inlet Module and Mode: Splitless Carrier Gas (ml/min): He, 1.2 Oven Temperature Program: Temperature 1 ( C): 1 Hold Time (min): 2 Temperature 2 ( C): 25 Rate ( C/min) 25 Temperature 3 ( C): 285 Rate ( C/min) 2.5 Temperature 4 ( C): 33 Rate ( C/min) 1 Hold Time (min): 5 TSQ 8 Evo Mass Spectrometer Transfer Line ( C): 28 Ionization Type: EI Ion Source( C): 3 Electron Energy (ev): 4 Acquisition Mode: SRM Q2 Gas Pressure (Argon) (psi): 6 Q1 Peak Width (Da):.7 Q3 Peak Width (Da):.7 Operate the TSQ 8 Evo mass spectrometer in MS/MS mode using electron ionization (EI+). For each target compound, choose two selected reaction monitoring (SRM) transitions. 1 Acquire data using timed selection reaction monitoring (t-srm) with a minimum of 12 points/chromatographic peak. Sample Preparation Use both EPA1613 solvent standards (Wellington Laboratories, Inc.) and food and feed animal fat, fish meal (feed), and egg sample extracts (Table 1). Perform sample extraction and clean up in accordance with the existing analytical criteria for food and feed, 2,3 either automatically (PowerPrep Multi-column Sample Cleanup) or partly manual/partly automated (using GPC, multi-layer silica column, Florisil column, carbon column). To each of the samples, add 5 6 pg (mixed animal fat, fish meal) or 1 12 pg of 13 C-labeled internal standards (egg fat), and 5 pg (mixed animal fat, fish meal), or 1 pg (egg fat) of the 13 C-1234-TCDD recovery standard. Data Processing Carry out peak detection and compound quantification in the analyzed samples using Thermo Scientific TargetQuan software, which enables quantitation based upon relative response factors and includes toxic equivalence factors (TEFs) to automatically calculate toxic equivalence quotients (TEQs) and total TEQ of a sample.
Figure 1. Chromatography example for 2378-TCDD and its internal standard 13C-2378-TCDD present in the fish meal (a), mixed animal fat (b), and egg fat (c) samples. Absolute amounts of native 2378-TCDD on column (fg) are indicated. 3 Results and Discussion Chromatography Excellent chromatographic separation was achieved for all sample extracts, even at very low target levels. Example chromatograms are shown for 2378-TCDD in the feed, animal fat, and egg samples (Figure 1). Linearity of Response Dioxin linearity was assessed by determining the average RF % relative standard deviation (RSD) values from a six point calibration curve measured at the beginning and at the end of the sample batch. Excellent %RSD values were obtained. All measured compounds had %RSD values between.7 4.5%, well within the 15% limits established by the U.S. EPA 5 (Table 2). Table 2. Precision on the average response factor (%RSD) for each native compound calculated from a six-point calibration curve (CSL-CS4). Values represent duplicate measurements of each calibration point, measured at the beginning and end of a batch. Linearity/Calibration Compound Concentration Range (pg/µl) Average RF STDEV RF %RSD 2378-TCDF.1 4 1..4 3.7 2378-TCDD.1 4 1.4.2 1.4 12378-PeCDF.5 2 1..1.9 23478-PeCDF.5 2 1..2 1.8 12378-PeCDD.5 2 1.2.3 2.5 123478-HxCDF.5 2 1..1.8 123678-HxCDF.5 2 1..1 1.3 234678-HxCDF.5 2 1..1 1.3 123478-HxCDD.5 2.9.1.7 123678-HxCDD.5 2 1.1.1 1.3 123789-HxCDD.5 2 1..1.7 123789-HxCDF.5 2 1..5 4.5 1234678-HpCDF.5 2 1.1.1.9 1234678-HpCDD.5 2 1.1.1 1. 1234789-HpCDF.5 2 1.1.2 1.4 OCDD 1. 4 1.5.2 1.6 OCDF 1. 4 1.1.2 1.4
4 Determination of Limit of Quantification (LOQ) Data acquired in SRM often shows little background noise due to the high selectivity of this acquisition mode on a triple quadrupole GC-MS instrument. For this reason, the LOD/LOQ could not be reliably calculated from the signal-to-noise (S/N) values. Here, an empirical approach was used to determine the LOQ for all native dioxins and furans targeted. This approach took into account the lowest level of each of the congeners that can be quantitatively determined and confirmed with suitable precision (<15% RSD) and accuracy, in addition to meeting all other confirmation criteria stated in the European Commission regulations. 2,3 In the first set of experiments, an EPA1613 CSL standard was diluted serially. Each dilution level was injected repeatedly (n=1) and the LOQ for each native compound was calculated taking into account the Student s-t critical values for the corresponding degrees of freedom (99% confidence). The results of this experiment are shown below, with LOQ values for all 17 PCDD/Fs congeners ranging from.1.6 pg/µl (Table 3). The second set of experiments focused on assessing both the instrument sensitivity and the LOQ for the tetra chlorinated dioxins. A solvent standard containing six TCDD congeners with gradually increasing concentrations (ranging from 1 1 fg/µl) was used. Peak shape, the peak area reproducibility (n= 8 injections) and the ion ratio deviation (% from the theoretical value), were evaluated for each congener and concentration level. The results of this experiment confirmed that TCDD can be confidently detected and confirmed at 1 fg on a column with ion ratio values lower than the 15% maximum limit and with peak area reproducibility (no internal standard correction) better than 7% RSD (Figure 2). Table 3. Limits of quantitation (LOQ) for the 17 dioxin congeners calculated from CSLx5 and CSLx1 dilution and taking into account the ion ratio, response factors, and precision limits.. PCDD/Fs Limit of Quantification Compound pg/µl 2378-TCDF.1 2378-TCDD.1 12378-PeCDF.2 23478-PeCDF.2 12378-PeCDD.2 123478-HxCDF.4 123678-HxCDF.4 234678-HxCDF.3 123478-HxCDD.6 123678-HxCDD.3 123789-HxCDD.4 123789-HxCDF.4 1234678-HpCDF.2 1234678-HpCDD.5 1234789-HpCDF.2 OCDD.5 OCDF.3 1 9 8 7 6 Inj. No. Concentration 1 fg 25 fg 1 fg 25 fg 5 fg 1 fg 1 3129 711 2594 6219 87635 239216 2 345 629 25998 5918 85789 24162 3 347 755 27425 58262 87578 237274 4 2637 744 25734 59335 8779 233655 5 2678 6376 2785 58583 83897 23447 6 2964 6513 2797 5892 85373 238554 7 2828 6931 26347 59936 86844 24274 8 2699 6579 2533 55519 79471 23238 2378-TCDD 1 fg IR % = 4 5 4 3 Mean 2878 6764 26422 58733 85458 237263 STDEV 192 411 94 1452 273 3625 %RSD 6.7 6.1 3.6 2.5 3.2 1.5 1478-TCDD 25 fg IR % = 6 1234-TCDD 5 fg IR % = 11 2 1 1368-TCDD 1 fg IR % = 9 1379-TCDD 25 fg IR % = 6 1378-TCDD 1 fg IR % = 7 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7 13.8 13.9 14. 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 14.7 14.8 14.9 Minutes Figure 2. Overlay SRM chromatograms (quan ion) of six TCDD congeners in a stepped standard (concentration ranging from 1 1 fg on column). Annotated are the peak area (AA), retention time (RT), percentage deviation of the ion ratio value from the theoretical value (IR %), corresponding concentration on column, and congener name. The included table indicates peak area reproducibility as %RSD for each congener and corresponding concentration level.
1. 5 WHO pg TEQ/g fat.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2 GC-HRMS GC-MS/MS egg-1 GC-MS/MS egg-2.1. 2378-TCDF 12378-PCDF 23478-PCDF 123478-HxCDF 123678-HxCDF 234678-HxCDF 123789-HxCDF 1234678-HpCDF 1234789-HpCDF OCDF 123678-HxCDD 123789-HxCDD 1234678-HpCDD OCDD Figure 3. Comparison of the individual dioxin concentrations (calculated as pg TEQ/g fat) using GC-HRMS and GC-MS/MS. Data shows the values for two individual extractions from the same egg sample (egg-1 extracted from.52 g of egg fat and egg-2 from.51 g of egg fat). 2378-TCDD 12378-PCDD 123478-HxCDD Determination of Dioxins in Sample Extracts As required by the EU regulations, determination of PCDD/Fs in a sample should be performed with a high degree of accuracy. 2,3,5 In order to evaluate the accuracy of measurements, the egg, animal fat, and fish meal samples were analyzed for their dioxin content. The calculated concentration of each individual dioxin congener (pg TEQ/g fat or ng/kg %dw) was compared with the values obtained from a GC-HRMS system. The data shows excellent agreement between the results obtained using the TSQ 8 Evo GC-MS/MS and that obtained using GC-HRMS (Figure 3). To increase the confidence in detection of the target compounds, the ion ratio (IR) abundance value of each of the native compounds was measured in the sample extracts and the values compared with both the theoretical ion ratio values and the values derived from the CS3 calibration check standard, as stated by the new dioxin regulations. 2,3 The results of this experiment show that all the IR abundance values for the compounds analyzed were within the 15% tolerance, increasing the confidence in the results and meeting the EU criteria for dioxin confirmation. 2 An example ion ratio abundance calculation is shown in Figure 4 for the egg samples. 1.2 1.8 Area Ratio.6.4.2 2378-TCDD 12378-PeCDD 123478-HxCDD 123678-HxCDD 123789-HxCDD 1234678-HpCDD OCDD 2378-TCDF 12378-PeCDF 23478-PeCDF 123478-HxCDF 123678-HxCDF 234678-HxCDF 123789-HxCDF 1234678-HpCDF 1234789-HpCDF IR CS3 IR theoretical Figure 4. Ion ratios of dioxins detected in egg fat samples. Comparison of individual IR average values (n=2) with the theoretical ion ratio values (red symbol) and with the values derived from the CS3 calibration standard (green symbol). OCDF Average
6 Precision of Measurement Obtaining a valid determination of dioxin concentration in sample extracts is critical. Dioxin concentrations are normally assessed by looking at the %RSD calculated from the results generated under reproducible conditions. 2,3 In this study, precision measurement of the total dioxin content (as WHO TEQ pg/g or ng/kg) was determined by running a sequence of n=13 repeat injections of the mixed animal fat and the fish meal samples. The results show excellent precision for both sample extracts with 6% RSD for the animal fat and 4% RSD for the fish meal sample (Figures 5 and 6). Where an analytical result for an individual dioxin congener was below the LOQ, the actual content could be anywhere between zero and the LOQ. For this reason, when a compound was not detected, the corresponding LOQ was used as the concentration value. This way, the upper bound TEQs for each sample extract were derived by summing the weighted concentrations for each of the 17 dioxin congeners analyzed and the results compared with the upper bound TEQs obtained from the GC-HRMS data. Total dioxin content (WHO-PCDD/ F-TEQ pg/g upper bound) of each sample in each of the 13 repeat injections obtained from the GC-MS/MS analysis was plotted against the sector instrument data acquired for the same samples. The calculated deviation did not exceed 16.6% for the animal fat sample (Figure 5) or 8% for the fish meal sample (Figure 6). Injection No WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ ub 1.91 2.76 3.88 4.9 5.94 6.83 7.84 8.85 9.88 1.87 11.78 12.82 13.84 Mean.85 STDEV.5 %RSD 5.97 % Difference form HRGC-MS 3 2 1 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 Injection No Figure 5. Mixed animal fat sample: deviation (%) of the total dioxin concentration (WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ pg/g upper bound) from the GC-HRMS results. Table shows the reproducibility of the total dioxin content (WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ pg/g upper bound) (n=13 injections) with the average value, standard deviation, and %RSD. Injection No WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ ub 1.26 2.26 3.24 4.25 5.26 6.26 7.26 8.27 9.24 1.26 11.24 12.24 13.27 Mean.25 STDEV.1 %RSD 4.3 % Difference form HRGC-MS 3 2 1 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 Injection No Figure 6. Fish meal sample: deviation (%) of the total dioxin concentration (WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ ng/kg 88% dw upper bound) from the GC-HRMS results. Table shows the reproducibility of the total dioxin content (WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ ng/kg 88% dw upper bound) (n=13 injections) with the average value, standard deviation, and %RSD.
Table 4. Comparison of the total dioxin content (WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ-upper bound) of the sample extracts analyzed by GC-HRMS and by GC-MS/MS. Average values of replicate injections (n) with corresponding standard deviations (in brackets) are given. Sample Type Additionally, calculation of the % deviation of the total dioxin content from the GC-HRMS data for all the samples analyzed shows a minimum of 2.2% for the fish meal (average for n=13 injections) and a maximum of 5.5% for the mixed animal fat (Table 4). Conclusion The TSQ 8 Evo triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS system is suitable for the quantification and confirmation of dioxins and furans in food and feed matrices at low levels. Excellent selectivity and sensitivity were achieved even at very low levels (e.g. 28 fg 2378-TCDD absolute amount on column) in matrix samples. Excellent precision measurements of the total dioxin content (WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ-ub) were obtained for two low level contaminated samples (fish meal and mixed animal fat) with %RSD values <6% (n=13). Deviation of the total dioxin content (WHO-PCDD/ F-TEQ-ub) from the GC-HRMS data was within ±2% for all the samples analyzed. WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ-ub GC-HRMS GC-MS/MS Deviation % Egg (n=2) 3.39 pg/g 3.27 (.3) 3.5 Fish Meal (n=13).26 ng/kg % dw.25 (.1) 2.1 Mixed Animal Fat (n=13).83 pg/g.85 (.4) 2.8 References 1. Thermo Scientific Application Note 138: Meeting the European Commission Performance Criteria for the Use of the Triple Quadrupole GC-MS/MS as a Confirmatory Method for PCDD/Fs in Food and Feed Samples. Runcorn, U.K. [Online] http://www. thermoscientific.com/content/dam/tfs/atg/cmd/ CMD%2Documents/Application%2&%2 Technical%2Notes/Mass%2Spectrometry/ GC%2MS/AN-138-TSQ-8-EVO-PCDD-FS- AN138-EN.pdf (accessed Sept. 26, 214). 2. Commission Regulation (EU) No 589/214 of 2 June 214 laying down methods of sampling and analysis for the control of levels of dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin-like PCBs in certain foodstuffs and repealing Regulation (EU) No 252/212, Off. J. Eur. Union: Legis. 214. 164, p. 18 4 3. Commission Regulation (EU) No 79/214 of 2 June 214 amending Regulation (EC) No 152/29 as regards the determination of the levels of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls, Off. J. Eur. Union: Legis. 214. 188, p. 1 18. 4. World Health Organization, Fact sheet N 225: Dioxins and their effects on human health, Updated June 214. 5. US EPA Method 1613: Tetra-through octa-chlorinated dioxins and furans by isotope dilution HRGC/HRMS (Revision B), 1994. Application Note 146 www.thermoscientific.com/chromatography 214 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved. ISO is a trademark of the International Standards Organization. PowerPrep is a trademark of FMS, Inc. Florisil is a registered trademark of U.S. Silica Co. All other trademarks are the property of Thermo Fisher Scientific and its subsidiaries. This information is presented as an example of the capabilities of Thermo Fisher Scientific products. It is not intended to encourage use of these products in any manners that might infringe the intellectual property rights of others. Specifications, terms and pricing are subject to change. Not all products are available in all countries. Please consult your local sales representative for details. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Sunnyvale, CA USA is ISO 91:28 Certified. Africa +43 1 333 5 34 Australia +61 3 9757 43 Austria +43 81 282 26 Belgium +32 53 73 42 41 Brazil +55 11 3731 514 Canada +1 8 53 8447 China 8 81 5118 (free call domestic) 4 65 5118 AN146-EN 114S Denmark +45 7 23 62 6 Europe-Other +43 1 333 5 34 Finland +358 9 3291 2 France +33 1 6 92 48 Germany +49 613 48 114 India +91 22 6742 9494 Italy +39 2 95 591 Japan +81 6 6885 1213 Korea +82 2 342 86 Latin America +1 561 688 87 Middle East +43 1 333 5 34 Netherlands +31 76 579 55 55 New Zealand +64 9 98 67 Norway +46 8 556 468 Russia/CIS +43 1 333 5 34 Singapore +65 6289 119 Sweden +46 8 556 468 Switzerland +41 61 716 77 Taiwan +886 2 8751 6655 UK/Ireland +44 1442 233555 USA +1 8 532 4752