In this project a LC-MS-method for the analysis of gamma-hydroxybutyrate, gamma-butyrolactone, 1,4-butanediol, amphetamine and methadone was developed. Initially, the efficiency of the ionisation of the analytes was evaluated with respect to the ionisation technique (ESI, APCI and APPI) and the composition of the mobile phase. In the next step a number of different columns was tested in order to find the one with the greatest potential for separation of the substances in question. Using the selected column, the separation was optimised by means of experimental design and the software The Unscrambler 7.8. The parameters studied were the flow rate, the column temperature and the mobile phase composition. The response variables were the resolution between the target compounds and the retention time of the last eluting compound. These experiments showed that, in order to obtain the best ionisation, the mobile phase should consist of 5 mM formic acid in water and acetonitrile. ESI should be used in the positive mode for all analytes except gamma-hydroxybutyrate, for which the negative mode should be applied. The Hypercarb column exhibited superior retention of the analytes and was therefore selected for further optimisation. The dimensions of this column were 2.1 x 50 mm and the particle size 5 μm, connected to a 2.1 x 10 mm precolumn containing the same packing material. The optimum of the flow rate and the column temperature were 250 μl/min and 20 ºC respectively. For the separation of gamma-hydroxybutyrate, gamma-butyrolactone and 1,4-butanediol the mobile phase consisted of 100% water with 5 mM formic acid. Thereafter a gradient, up to 70% acetonitrile with 5 mM formic acid, was used in order to elute amphetamine and methadone. Efforts were also made to find an internal standard for the method. However, none of the compounds tested was found suitable. In order to get the method usable for routine analysis, which is the goal, further work is required. A suitable internal standard needs to be added to the method and thereafter work remains with validation of the method.

<p>In this project a LC-MS-method for the analysis of gamma-hydroxybutyrate, gamma-butyrolactone, 1,4-butanediol, amphetamine and methadone was developed.</p><p>Initially, the efficiency of the ionisation of the analytes was evaluated with respect to the ionisation technique (ESI, APCI and APPI) and the composition of the mobile phase. In the next step a number of different columns was tested in order to find the one with the greatest potential for separation of the substances in question. Using the selected column, the separation was optimised by means of experimental design and the software The Unscrambler 7.8. The parameters studied were the flow rate, the column temperature and the mobile phase composition. The response variables were the resolution between the target compounds and the retention time of the last eluting compound.</p><p>These experiments showed that, in order to obtain the best ionisation, the mobile phase should consist of 5 mM formic acid in water and acetonitrile. ESI should be used in the positive mode for all analytes except gamma-hydroxybutyrate, for which the negative mode should be applied. The Hypercarb column exhibited superior retention of the analytes and was therefore selected for further optimisation. The dimensions of this column were 2.1 x 50 mm and the particle size 5 μm, connected to a 2.1 x 10 mm precolumn containing the same packing material. The optimum of the flow rate and the column temperature were 250 μl/min and 20 ºC respectively. For the separation of gamma-hydroxybutyrate, gamma-butyrolactone and 1,4-butanediol the mobile phase consisted of 100% water with 5 mM formic acid. Thereafter a gradient, up to 70% acetonitrile with 5 mM formic acid, was used in order to elute amphetamine and methadone. Efforts were also made to find an internal standard for the method. However, none of the compounds tested was found suitable.</p><p>In order to get the method usable for routine analysis, which is the goal, further work is required. A suitable internal standard needs to be added to the method and thereafter work remains with validation of the method.</p>

Le présent projet vise à documenter la nécessité d’augmenter notre connaissance de la présence des contaminants organiques tels que les médicaments dans l’environnement et d’évaluer leur devenir environnemental. On a étudié la présence de composés pharmaceutiques dans différents échantillons d'eau. On a focalisé nos efforts spécialement sur les échantillons d'eau de l'usine d'épuration de la Ville de Montréal et ses effluents, les eaux de surface avoisinantes et l’eau du robinet dans la région de Montréal. Pour ce faire, on a tout d’abord développé deux méthodes analytiques automatisées basées sur la chromatographie liquide avec extraction en phase solide (SPE) couplée à la chromatographie liquide couplée à la spectrométrie de masse en tandem (LC-MS/MS). On a également étudié les performances des trois techniques d'ionisation à pression atmosphérique (API), pour ensuite les utiliser dans la méthode analytique développée. On a démontré que l'ionisation par électronébulisation (ESI) est une méthode d'ionisation plus efficace pour l'analyse des contaminants pharmaceutiques dans des échantillons de matrices très complexes comme les eaux usées. Une première méthode analytique SPE couplée à la LC-MS/MS a été développée et validée pour l'étude des échantillons complexes provenant de l'usine d'épuration de la Ville de Montréal et des eaux de surface près de l'usine. Cinq médicaments de prescription ont été étudiés: le bézafibrate (un régulateur de lipides), le cyclophosphamide et le méthotrexate (deux agents anticancéreux), l'orlistat (un agent anti-obésité) et l’énalapril (utilisé dans le traitement de l'hypertension). La plupart de ces drogues sont excrétées par le corps humain et rejetées dans les eaux usées domestiques en faisant par la suite leur chemin vers les usines municipales de traitement des eaux usées. On a pu démontrer qu'il y a un faible taux d’élimination à l'usine d'épuration pour le bézafibrate et l'énalapril. Ces deux composés ont aussi été détectés dans les eaux de surface sur un site à proximité immédiate de la décharge de l’effluent de la station d'épuration. i En observant la nécessité de l'amélioration des limites de détection de la première méthode analytique, une deuxième méthode a été développée. Pour la deuxième méthode, un total de 14 contaminants organiques, incluant trois agents anti-infectieux (clarithromycin, sulfaméthoxazole et triméthoprime), un anticonvulsant (carbamazépine) et son produit de dégradation (10,11-dihydrocarbamazépine), l'agent antihypertensif (enalapril), deux antinéoplastiques utilisés en chimiothérapie (cyclophosphamide et méthotrexate), des herbicides (atrazine, cyanazine, et simazine) et deux produits de transformation de l’atrazine (deséthylatrazine et déisopropylatrazine) ainsi qu’un agent antiseptique (triclocarban). Ces produits ont été quantifiés dans les eaux de surface ainsi que dans l’eau du robinet. L'amélioration des limites de détection pour cette méthode a été possible grâce à la charge d'un volume d'échantillon supérieur à celui utilisé dans la première méthode (10 mL vs 1 mL). D'autres techniques de confirmation, telles que les spectres des ions produits utilisant une pente d’énergie de collision inverse dans un spectromètre de masse à triple quadripôle et la mesure des masses exactes par spectrométrie de masse à temps d’envol, ont été explorées. L'utilisation d'un analyseur de masse à temps d’envol a permis la confirmation de 6 des 14 analytes. Finalement, étant donné leur haute toxicité et pour évaluer leur persistance et leur transformation au niveau du traitement des eaux potables, la cinétique d'oxydation du cyclophosphamide et de méthotrexate avec l'ozone moléculaire et des radicaux OH a été étudiée. Les constantes de dégradation avec l'ozone moléculaire ont été calculées et la qualité de l'eau après traitement a pu être évaluée. Le rendement du processus d'ozonation a été amélioré pour la cyclophosphamide dans les eaux naturelles, en raison de la combinaison de réactions directes et indirectes. Cette étude a montré que l'ozone est très efficace pour oxyder le méthotrexate mais que le cyclophosphamide serait trop lent à s’oxyder pour un traitement efficace aux conditions usuelles de traitement de l’eau potable. / This project aims to document the need to increase our knowledge of organic contaminants such as pharmaceuticals in the environment and to assess their environmental fate. We studied the presence of pharmaceutical compounds in different water samples. We studied their presence in wastewater samples from the treatment plant of the City of Montreal, effluents, surface and tap water. To do this we developed two analytical methods based on solid phase extraction (SPE) coupled to liquid chromatography -tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). . The performance of three atmospheric pressure ionization (API) techniques was also studied for their subsequent use in the developed method. It was demonstrated that electrospray ionization (ESI) is a more effective ionization method for the analysis of pharmaceutical contaminants in samples as complex as wastewaters. A first analytical LC-MS/MS method, was developed and validated for the investigation of samples from the wastewater treatment plant and surface waters near the plant of Montreal. Five prescription drugs were studied: bezafibrate (lipid regulator), cyclophosphamide, and methotrexate (two anticancer agents), orlistat (an anti-obesity agent) and enalapril used in the treatment of hypertension. Most of these drugs are excreted by the human body in high percentages and released into domestic wastewaters, making their way to the municipal wastewater treatment plants. It was demonstrated that there is a low rate of elimination at the wastewater treatment plant for bezafibrate and enalapril. These two compounds were also detected in surface waters on a site close to the discharge of the treatment plant effluents. For this first analytical method we observed the necessity of improvement of the detection limits of the method. A second method was then developed to improve the detection limits and to study a total of 14 organic contaminants, including three antiinfective agents (clarithromycin, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim), an anticonvulsant (carbamazepine) and its degradation product 10,11-dihydrocarbamazepine, the iii antihypertensive agent (enalapril), two antineoplastic (methotrexate and cyclophosphamide), herbicides (atrazine, cyanazine, and simazine) and two transformation products of atrazine (desethylatrazine and déisopropylatrazine) and an antiseptic agent (triclocarban). These products were quantified in surface water and tap water. The improvement of the detection limits of this method was possible due to the loading of a greater sample volume than that used in the first method (10 mL vs 1 mL). Other confirmation techniques, such as the data-dependent reverse energy ramp scan on a triple quadrupole and accurate mass measurements on a time-of-flight mass spectrometer were explored. Using time-of-flight mass spectrometer determinations allowed the confirmation of six of the 14 analytes. Finally, due to their toxic properties, the oxidation kinetics of cyclophosphamide and methotrexate with molecular ozone and OH radicals was studied in bench scale. The degradation constants with molecular ozone were calculated and the water quality after treatment was assessed. The overall process performance was improved for cyclophosphamide in natural waters, due to the combination of direct and indirect reactions. The study showed that ozone is very effective for the oxidation of methotrexate, but cyclophosphamide is too slowly oxidized for an effective drinking water treatment under usual conditions.

The aim of this research was the development of mass spectrometry-based methodologies for the high-throughput quantitation of peptides in biological matrices. Glucagon and GLP-1, which are of interest as biomarkers and in the development of therapeutics, were chosen as model peptides. Immunoassays that are traditionally used to quantify these often perform poorly; therefore, necessitating the development of alternative methodologies. Application of mass spectrometry-based methodologies to these analytes has, however, been limited, primarily due to sensitivity challenges, but also due to analytical challenges associated with their endogenous nature and instability in biological matrices. Chapter 2 describes the development and qualification of the first liquid-chromatography coupled tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the quantitation of endogenous glucagon from human plasma. A novel 2D extraction procedure was developed to ensure robustness and sensitivity, whilst a novel surrogate matrix quantitation strategy took into account the endogenous nature of the analyte. A lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of 25 pg/mL was qualified, which was a considerable improvement over that previously reported in the literature (250 pg/mL) for a LC-MS/MS method. Clinical samples were cross-validated against a conventional radioimmunoassay (RIA), and similar pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles resulted, demonstrating that the methods were complementary. In Chapter 2 glucagon instability in biological matrix was noted. To characterise this further, in Chapter 3 in vitro glucagon metabolites were identified using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Metabolites observed by others (glucagon19-29, glucagon3 29 and [pGlu]3glucagon3 29) in alternative matrices were identified, alongside novel metabolites (glucagon20-29 and glucagon21-29). Cross-interference of these metabolites in immunoassays may help to explain their poor performance, whilst knowledge of metabolism may also aid the development of future stabilisation strategies. The method developed in Chapter 2 was refined in Chapter 4 to improve sensitivity, robustness and throughput, and to add GLP-1 as a secondary analyte. The sensitivity achieved (glucagon: 15 pg/mL LLOQ, GLP-1: 25 pg/mL LLOQ) is the highest reported for both peptides for an extraction avoiding immunoenrichment. Specificity of endogenous glucagon quantitation was assured using a novel approach with a supercharging mobile phase additive to access a sensitive qualifier transition. A cross-validation against established immunoassays using physiological study samples demonstrated some similarities between the methods. Differences between the immunoassay results exemplified the need to develop alternative methodologies. The resulting LC-MS/MS method is considered a viable alternative to immunoassays, for the quantitation of endogenous glucagon, dosed glucagon and/or dosed GLP-1 in human plasma.

No description available.

L'exposition humaine au bisphénol A et aux nonylphénols constitue un problème majeur de santé publique, en conséquence du caractère ubiquitaire de ces molécules et de leur toxicité en tant que perturbateur endocrinien. Leurs dérivés chlorés, formés par chloration lors de l'étape de désinfection de l'eau potable, présentent un effet perturbateur endocrinien jusqu'à 100 fois plus important que les composés parents. Au cours de ce travail nous avons développé des méthodes de dosage sensibles et reproductibles par LC-MS/MS de ces polluants dans l'eau. Le choix de l'isomère 353NP a été discuté et retenu comme substance de référence des nonylphénols. Le bisphénol A et le 353NP ont été retrouvés dans l'eau de surface (en entrée) et dans l'eau traitée (en sortie) de 8 usines de traitement d'eau potable, à des concentrations comprises entre 2,0 et 29,7 ng.L-1 et entre <4,1 et 124,9 ng.L-1 respectivement. Par ailleurs, aucun dérivé chloré n'a été détecté. Des dosages du bisphénol A et de ses dérivés chlorés réalisés dans 14 eaux du robinet et 4 eaux embouteillées ont montré leur présence dans ces eaux de boisson. Pour évaluer l'imprégnation de la population au bisphénol A et ses dérivés chlorés, nous avons mis au point un dosage ultrasensible de ces molécules par SPE-UPLC-MS/MS dans le lait maternel, validé selon les recommandations internationales. Ces composés ont été retrouvés dans le colostrum de 21 mères avec des concentrations comprises entre <0,40 et 6,12 ng.mL-1. Ces résultats prouvent qu'il existe une origine hydrique de la contamination chez l'homme par le bisphénol A, comme pour ses dérivés chlorés. / Bisphenol A and nonylphenols are widespread industrial chemicals which over the past decade have demonstrated their toxicity as endocrine disruptors. Residual chlorine present in drinking water may react with these compounds to form chlorinated derivatives, which have demonstrated a heightened level of estrogenic activity. In this work, we have comprehensively validated accurate and reproducible methods of quantification measuring these target compounds in water using LC-MS/MS. We have discussed and selected 353NP as the reference material for the analysis of nonylphenols. Bisphenol A and 353NP were found in both surface and treated water samples extracted from eight French drinking water treatment plants, at a level ranging from 2.0 to 29.7 ng.L-1 and from <4.1 to 124.9 ng.L-1, respectively. Neither chlorinated BPA nor chlorinated 353NP was detected. Quantification of bisphenol A and its chlorinated derivatives in 14 tap water samples and 4 bottled water samples showed that those pollutants are present in drinking water. Exposure to bisphenol A and its chlorinated derivatives in the population was investigated through breast milk. We developed a method using on-line SPE-UPLC-MS/MS to quantify these chemicals in breast milk according to internationally accepted guidelines. The target compounds were found in the colostrum of 21 women at concentrations ranging from <0.40 to 6.12 ng.mL-1. Drinking water may consequently constitute a source of human exposure to bisphenol A and its chlorinated derivatives.

Le méconium constitue les premières selles du nourrisson. Cette matrice complexe est analysée dans le cadre du projet « PENEW » (Pregnancy Environment and NEWborn malformations) afin de déterminer si le degré d'exposition fœtale aux xénobiotiques joue un rôle dans la survenue de malformations congénitales. Le but de cette étude était le développement analytique pour la détection et la quantification dans le méconium d’une quarantaine de composés de familles différentes (composés organiques volatils, pesticides, éthers de glycol et les métabolites associés). Trois techniques analytiques différentes et une préparation d’échantillon spécifiques ont été développées pour la détection et la quantification de ces composés dans le méconium. L’application des ces méthodes à 246 échantillons de méconium a montré une exposition fœtale à plusieurs des substances recherchées. / Meconium is the earliest stool of newborns. This complex matrix was analyzed through the "PENEW" project (Pregnancy and Newborn malformations Environment) to determine if the degree of fetal exposure to xenobiotics has an influence in the occurrence of birth defects. The objective of this thesis was developed analytical methods for the detection and quantification of several different families of compounds (volatile organic compounds, pesticides, glycol ethers and their metabolites) in meconium. Three different analytical methods and a specific sample preparation have been developed for the detection and quantification of these compounds in the meconium. The application of these methods to 246 meconium samples showed a fetal exposure to several target compounds.

An automated on-line SPE-LC-MS/MS method was developed for the quantitation of multiple classes of antibiotics in environmental waters. High sensitivity in the low ng/L range was accomplished by using large volume injections with 10-mL of sample. Positive confirmation of analytes was achieved using two selected reaction monitoring (SRM) transitions per antibiotic and quantitation was performed using an internal standard approach. Samples were extracted using online solid phase extraction, then using column switching technique; extracted samples were immediately passed through liquid chromatography and analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry. The total run time per each sample was 20 min. The statistically calculated method detection limits for various environmental samples were between 1.2 and 63 ng/L. Furthermore, the method was validated in terms of precision, accuracy and linearity. The developed analytical methodology was used to measure the occurrence of antibiotics in reclaimed waters (n=56), surface waters (n=53), ground waters (n=8) and drinking waters (n=54) collected from different parts of South Florida. In reclaimed waters, the most frequently detected antibiotics were nalidixic acid, erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole and ofloxacin (19.3-604.9 ng/L). Detection of antibiotics in reclaimed waters indicates that they can’t be completely removed by conventional wastewater treatment process. Furthermore, the average mass loads of antibiotics released into the local environment through reclaimed water were estimated as 0.248 Kg/day. Among the surface waters samples, Miami River (reaching up to 580 ng/L) and Black Creek canal (up to 124 ng/L) showed highest concentrations of antibiotics. No traces of antibiotics were found in ground waters. On the other hand, erythromycin (monitored as anhydro erythromycin) was detected in 82% of the drinking water samples (n.d-66 ng/L). The developed approach is suitable for both research and monitoring applications. Major metabolites of antibiotics in reclaimed wates were identified and quantified using high resolution benchtop Q-Exactive orbitrap mass spectrometer. A phase I metabolite of erythromycin was tentatively identified in full scan based on accurate mass measurement. Using extracted ion chromatogram (XIC), high resolution data-dependent MS/MS spectra and metabolic profiling software the metabolite was identified as desmethyl anhydro erythromycin with molecular formula C36H63NO12 and m/z 702.4423. The molar concentration of the metabolite to erythromycin was in the order of 13 %. To my knowledge, this is the first known report on this metabolite in reclaimed water. Another compound acetyl-sulfamethoxazole, a phase II metabolite of sulfamethoxazole was also identified in reclaimed water and mole fraction of the metabolite represent 36 %, of the cumulative sulfamethoxazole concentration. The results were illustrating the importance to include metabolites also in the routine analysis to obtain a mass balance for better understanding of the occurrence, fate and distribution of antibiotics in the environment. Finally, all the antibiotics detected in reclaimed and surface waters were investigated to assess the potential risk to the aquatic organisms. The surface water antibiotic concentrations that represented the real time exposure conditions revealed that the macrolide antibiotics, erythromycin, clarithromycin and tylosin along with quinolone antibiotic, ciprofloxacin were suspected to induce high toxicity to aquatic biota. Preliminary results showing that, among the antibiotic groups tested, macrolides posed the highest ecological threat, and therefore, they may need to be further evaluated with, long-term exposure studies considering bioaccumulation factors and more number of species selected. Overall, the occurrence of antibiotics in aquatic environment is posing an ecological health concern.

Lipids from the fat body of queens of Bombus terrestris species in different life stages were studied using chromatographic methods. High-performance liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization was used to analyze all lipids from the tissue. Semi- preparative thin-layer chromatography was used to isolate triacylglycerols (TGs) from the fat body tissue. The TGs were subsequently analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography - atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Quantitative differences between different life stages have been found. Qualitative composition has not been changing significantly. Only minor differences have been found in the substances, which were present in amount less than 1%.

Introduktion Antibiotikaresistens är ett globalt växande problem. Till gruppen β-laktamantibiotika hör piperacillin-tazobaktam och cefotaxim som båda verkar genom att försvaga cellväggen med kovalenta bindningar till peptidoglykanlagret som lyserar cellen. E. coli och K. pneumoniae tillhör gruppen Enterobacteriaceae, som är en del av den humana tarmfloran och ofta förekommande vid urinvägsinfektion och sepsis. Utvidgat Spektrum β-Laktamas (ESBL) är ett enzym som finns hos Enterobacteriaceae och som hydrolyserar β-laktamantibiotika. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) är en kvalitativ analysteknik för detektion av kemiska föreningar i avseende på massa och laddning. Kännedom om antibiotikametaboliters molekylvikt vid hydrolys möjliggör detektion. Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) är en högsensitiv kvantifieringsmetod som separerar molekyler i avseende på polaritet för vidare detektion i avseende på massa och laddning. Syfte Syftet med denna studie var att vidareutveckla en snabb och effektiv metod för att påvisa nedbrytning av piperacillin-tazobaktam och cefotaxim i blodplasma med LC-MS/MS. Material och Metod Tiofaldigt sjunkande koncentrationer av piperacillin-tazobaktam från 2000 till 2 µg/ml, och cefotaxim med koncentrationerna 500 till 0,5 µg/ml analyserades med MALDI-TOF MS, dels intakt men även med bakterierna E. coli och K. pneumoniae med uttryck av olika resistensmekanismer. Vid optimerade koncentrationer spikades plasmaprover med nedbrutet antibiotika som sedan kvantifierades med LC-MS/MS. Resultat Lägsta detektionsgräns med MALDI-TOF MS för intakt och hydrolyserat piperacillin-tazobaktam var 20/2,5 µg/ml. För cefotaxim var lägsta gränsen 5 µg/ml. Med kliniskt relevanta blodkoncentrationer gick hydrolys inte att detektera för. Med tre bakteriekolonier/50 µl kunde dock hydrolys detekteras och kvantifieras med LC-MS/MS. Slutsats Detektion av β-laktamantibiotika är möjligt med både MALDI-TOF MS och LC-MS/MS. För att påvisa hydrolys krävdes större mängder bakterier än förväntat med LC-MS/MS. / Introduction Antibiotic resistance is a global growing problem. Piperacillin-tazobactam and cefotaxime are parts of the group β-lactam antibiotics. The common feature is to inhibit the cell wall synthesis by covalent bindings to the peptidoglycan layer and thereby causing lysis of the bacterial cell. E. coli and K. pneumoniae are members of the Enterobacteriaceae which is a part of the human normal flora but also are commonly associated with urinary tract infections which sometimes develops into to sepsis. Extended Spectrum β-Lactamases (ESBLs) are enzymes with hydrolytic abilities acting on β-lactam antibiotics, expressed by Enterobacteriaceae. The qualitative, Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) can be used to detect chemical compounds in the ratio of mass to charge in accordance to their molecular weight. Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is a highly sensitive two-step method of quantification which first separate molecules by their polarity attraction force and then by the ratio of mass to charge. Aim The aim of this study was to develop a fast and efficient method to determine degradation of piperacillin-tazobactam and cefotaxime in blood plasma by LC-MS/MS. Method Tenfold dilution of piperacillin-tazobactam in concentrations of 2000 to 2 µg/ml, and cefotaxime in concentrations of 500 to 0,5 µg/ml where analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS, intact and also with the bacteria E. coli and K. pneumoniae with different expression of antibiotic resistance. Optimized concentrations where fixed in blood plasma and then quantified by LC-MS/MS. Result The detection limit by using MALDI TOF MS of hydrolyzed as well as non-hydrolyzed piperacillin-tazobactam was 20/2,5 µg/ml. The detection limit in cefotaxime was 5 µg/ml. Hydrolysis could not be detected in clinically fixed blood concentrations. Detection and quantification of hydrolysis by LC-MS/MS was possible in a concentration of three bacteria colonies/50 µl. Conclusion It is possible to detect hydrolysis in both MALDI TOF MS and LC-MS/MS. A larger amount of bacteria than expected was needed to demonstrate hydrolysis In LC-MS/MS.