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Pentafluorobenzylation and detection of sodium monofluoroacetate (compound 1080) in veterinary samples using gas chromatography/tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry with multiple reaction monitoring
Author(s) -
Buchweitz John P.,
Johnson Margaret,
Lehner Andreas F.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.8973
Subject(s) - chemistry , chromatography , derivatization , detection limit , mass spectrometry , selected reaction monitoring , tandem mass spectrometry , gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry , gas chromatography , mass , gas chromatography–mass spectrometry , analyte , analytical chemistry (journal) , mass spectrum
Rationale The analytical detection of chemical residues from sodium monofluoroacetate (MFA) ingestion in targeted predatory wildlife and in pesticide misuse incidents perpetrated against nuisance companion animals remains a concern in veterinary forensic toxicology. There is a current need for chemically stable sample extracts with reliable and specific diagnostic methods for trace quantities in diverse diagnostic matrices. Methods Biphasic pentafluorobenzylation provided a simple combined extraction and derivatization procedure for removing MFA in a chemically stable form from a complex matrix such as stomach contents. Analysis of the derivatized extract using gas chromatography/tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) approaches specific to MFA provided greater specificity than simple scan or selected ion monitoring approaches. Results Collision‐induced dissociation in GC/MS/MS showed that pentafluorobenzyl (PFB)‐derivatized MFA (M + m/z 258) generated m/z 258➔130, 149, 161, 177, 178, 180.1, and 181.1 transitions. Of these, the transition m/z 258➔181 provided a peak for quantitation, whereas m/z 258➔161 and 258➔178 provided specificity for qualifying MFA. Similarly, PFB‐derivatized 2‐chloropropionic acid (M + m/z 288) was used as an internal standard, which generated m/z 288➔181 and 161. Of these, the transition m/z 288➔181 provided a peak for quantitation, whereas m/z 288➔161 and 181➔161 served to qualify the internal standard. Conclusions The method was validated with a calculated limit of detection of 0.35 ppm and limit of quantitation of 1.09 ppm MFA. The method should have adequate sensitivity and reliability for veterinary toxicology labs analyzing specimens from animals poisoned by this predacide.