Liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods were developed for the analysis of positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers in biological matrices. Additionally, radiotracer chemistry was explored as an analytical tool for supporting LC-MS method development and imaging molecular interactions in miniaturised chemical analysis systems. Conventional radiodetection methods can offer high sensitivity in the analysis of radiotracers in biological matrices, although with the short half-life of PET tracers, this mass sensitivity decreases rapidly with time. This limits the time frame for analysis, and may compromise the precision and accuracy of the later measurements. Performing LC-MS analysis of the dominant stable isotope form of the tracer removes such time restrictions. An LC-MS/MS method was developed for determination of the tracer flumazenil in human plasma, with high inter-assay precision (RSD < 7%) and accuracy (95 – 104%). The method was applied in a multiple scan PET study where the plasma concentration spanned from 0.07 to 0.21 nM. The method removed the time restrictions associated with radiodetection methods and thus provided the opportunity of analysing a greater number of samples than would have been possible with radioanalysis. Furthermore, an LC-MS/MS method was developed that provided an efficient metabolic screening tool of potential PET tracers, whereby the substrates could be collected directly from 11C-labelling batches. This permitted repeated incubation experiments without the need of repeated labelling syntheses. A para-methoxy-benzamide analogue of the radiotracer WAY-100635 was thus identified as a potential tracer with improved metabolic stability. Additionally, a capillary LC-MS method was developed with rapid (0.75 min) and efficient (> 99%) on-line high flow-rate extraction for determination of metabolic stability of PET radiotracers. Finally, the concept of radionuclide imaging of miniaturised chemical analysis systems was demonstrated with the direct study of interactions within capillary extraction columns and microchannels moulded in a plastic CD and poly(dimethylsiloxane).

Different sample preparation steps prior to a detection method are often essential in analytical chemistry. In this thesis, both static extractions and on-line coupled solid-phase extractions have been studied in combination with different detection techniques. Aspects of performing sample preparations in miniaturized analytical devices and the development of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microchips are discussed. Polypyrrole was also evaluated as an electrochemically controllable stationary phase for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and solid-phase extraction (SPE). The first part of this thesis describes the extraction of an organic compound from a very complex solid matrix utilizing the pressurized-fluid extraction (PFE) technique. The presented results show that PFE is easily optimized and enables rapid extractions and extracts relatively free from interferences. An integrated three-electrode device, which enabled electrochemical (EC) SPME under potential control, was developed. With this device, both anions and cations could be extracted employing two types of polypyrrole films. Planar micro band electrodes positioned at the end of a capillary were also used to electrochemically extract and detect anions in a miniaturized flow system. Different analyte concentrations and preconcentration times were examined, and good linear correlations were found between the extraction time and the detection response. The on-line coupling of a thin layer EC cell, with a polypyrrole coated working electrode, to different mass spectrometric (MS) techniques is also described and evaluated. The results show that EC-SPE, employing polypyrrole as stationary phase, can be used as a preconcentration step prior to detection. In addition, this thesis describes the development and on-line coupling of a microelectrode array equipped PDMS microchip with an integrated graphite electrospray emitter to electrospray ionization (ESI) MS. The system enabled short transfer times and an EC conversion efficiency of 30% at a flow rate of 0.5 μL/min. The on-line EC/ESI-MS experiments were significantly simplified using a wireless Bluetooth battery-powered EC instrument.

This thesis covers a wide range of analytical method development for lipid analysis in complex biological samples; from sample preparation using pressurized fluid extraction (PFE) and separation with reversed phase capillary liquid chromatography (RP-LC) to detection by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS) and tandem MS. The requirements for fast, reliable and selective extraction methods with minimal usage of solvents have accelerated the development of new extraction techniques. PFE is one of the new automated, fast and efficient liquid extraction techniques which use elevated temperature and pressure with standard liquid solvents. In this thesis the reliability and efficiency of the PFE technique was investigated for the extraction of total lipid content from cod, herring muscle and human brain tissue as well as for pesticides from fatty foodstuffs. Improved or comparable efficiencies were achieved with reduced time and solvent consumption as compared to traditional methods. A RP-LC coupled online to ESI/MS for the analysis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and sphingomyelin (SM) molecular species was developed and used for the analysis of brain lipids from eight groups of mice treated with vehicle and various neuroleptics. The effect of postnatal iron administration in lipid composition and behavior was investigated. Whether or not these effects could be altered by subchronic administration of the neuroleptics (clozapine and haloperidol) were examined. The results support the hypothesis that an association between psychiatric disorders, behavior abnormalities and lipid membrane constitution in the brain exists. Finally, a tandem MS precursor ion scan was used to analyze the developmental profile of brain sulfatide accumulation in arylsulfatase A (ASA) deficient (ASA -/-) as compared to wild type control (ASA +/+) mice. The ASA -/- mice were developed as a model of the monogenic disease metachromatic leukodystrophy with an established deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme ASA. The results showed that an alteration in the composition of sulfatide molecular species was observed between the ASA -/- and ASA +/+ mice. This thesis shows that modern analytical methods can provide new insights in the extraction and analysis of lipids from complex biological samples.

This thesis deals with the reliability of methods for the speciation of mercury in environmental and biological samples. Problems with speciation methods that couple chromatography to atomic spectrometric detection and how to overcome the problems are discussed. Analytical techniques primarily studied and evaluated are high performance liquid chromatography-cold vapour-atomic absorption spectrometry (HPLC-CV-AAS), HPLC-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS), capillary electrophoresis-ICP-MS (CE-ICP-MS) and gas chromatography-ICP-MS (GC-ICP-MS). Applying a multi-capillary approach increased the analyte amount injected into a CE-ICP-MS system and improved the overall sensitivity. A microconcentric nebulizer with a cyclone spray chamber was shown to improve the detection limits for mercury species 3-13 times in HPLC-ICP-MS and 11-19 times in CE-ICP-MS compared to a cross-flow nebulizer with a Scott spray chamber. To decrease the interference of water vapour in HPLC-CV-AAS a Nafion dryer tube was inserted between the CV-generation and the detector. Methyl mercury was however lost in the Nafion unless it was reduced to elemental mercury prior transport through the dryer tube. During sample pre-treatment, incomplete extraction, losses and transformation (alkylation, dealkylation, oxidation and reduction) of mercury species can lead to significant errors (underestimation and overestimation) in the determination of the concentrations. Methods to detect and determine the degree of transformation as well as correct for errors caused by transformation are presented in the thesis. The preferable method use species-specific enriched stable isotope standards in combination with MS detection and a matrix based calculation scheme. This approach is very powerful as both the concentrations of the species as well as the degrees of transformation can be determined within each individual sample.

The challenge for the future was defined by the Brundtland Commission (1987) and by the Rio Declaration (1992), in which the fundamental principles for achieving a sustainable development were provided. Sustainable chemistry can be defined as the contribution of chemistry to the implementation of the Rio Declaration. This thesis shows how Pressurized Fluid Extraction (PFE) can be utilized in chemical analysis, and how this correlates to Green Chemistry. The reliability and efficiency of the PFE technique was investigated for a variety of analytes and matrices. Applications discussed include: the extraction of the antioxidant Irganox 1076 from linear low density polyethylene, mobile forms of phosphorus in lake sediment, chlorinated paraffins from source-separated household waste, general analytical method for pesticide residues in rape seed, total lipid content in cod muscle, and squalene in olive biomass. Improved or comparable extraction yields were achieved with reduced time and solvent consumption. The decrease in use of organic solvents was 50-90%, resulting in minimal volatile organic compounds emissions and less health-work problem. Due to higher extraction temperatures and more efficient extractions, the selection of solvent is not as important as at lower temperatures, which makes it possible to choose less costly, more environmentally and health beneficial solvents. In general, extraction times are reduced to minutes compared to several hours. As a result of the very short extraction times, the amount of co-extracted material is relatively low, resulting in fewer clean-up step and much shorter analysis time. Selective extractions could be obtained by varying the solvent or solvent mixture and/or using adsorbents. In this thesis, the PFE technique was compared to the twelve principles of Green Chemistry, and it was shown that it follows several of the principles, thus giving a major contribution to sustainable chemistry.

<p>Mass spectrometry (MS) is an important tool in analytical chemistry today, particularly in the field of proteomics where identification of proteins is the central activity. The focus in this thesis has been to improve the mass accuracy of MS-analyses in order to improve the possibility for unambiguous identification of proteins.</p><p>In paper I a new peak picking algorithm has been developed for Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization - Time of Flight - Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The new algorithm is based on the assumption that two sets of ions are formed during the ionisation, and that these two sets have different Gaussian-distributed velocity profiles. The algorithm then deconvolutes the spectral peak into two Gaussian distributions, were the narrower of the two distributions is utilized for peak picking. The two-Gaussian peak picking algorithm proved to be especially useful when dealing with weak, distorted peaks.</p><p>In paper II a novel chip-based target for MALDI analysis is described. The target features pairs of 50x50 μm anchors in close proximity. Each anchor within a pair could be individually addressed with different sample solutions. Each pair could then be irradiated with the MALDI laser, which allowed ionization to take place on separated anchors simultaneously. This made it possible for us to calibrate analytes with calibration standards that where physically separated from the analyte, but ionized simultaneously. The use of new chip-based MALDI target resulted in a 2-fold reduction of relative mass errors. We could also report a significant reduction of ion suppression. The small size of the anchors provided a good platform for efficient utilization of sample. This resulted in a detection limit of ca. 1.5 attomole of angiotensin I at a S/N of 22:1.</p>

Mass spectrometry (MS) is an important tool in analytical chemistry today, particularly in the field of proteomics where identification of proteins is the central activity. The focus in this thesis has been to improve the mass accuracy of MS-analyses in order to improve the possibility for unambiguous identification of proteins. In paper I a new peak picking algorithm has been developed for Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization - Time of Flight - Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The new algorithm is based on the assumption that two sets of ions are formed during the ionisation, and that these two sets have different Gaussian-distributed velocity profiles. The algorithm then deconvolutes the spectral peak into two Gaussian distributions, were the narrower of the two distributions is utilized for peak picking. The two-Gaussian peak picking algorithm proved to be especially useful when dealing with weak, distorted peaks. In paper II a novel chip-based target for MALDI analysis is described. The target features pairs of 50x50 μm anchors in close proximity. Each anchor within a pair could be individually addressed with different sample solutions. Each pair could then be irradiated with the MALDI laser, which allowed ionization to take place on separated anchors simultaneously. This made it possible for us to calibrate analytes with calibration standards that where physically separated from the analyte, but ionized simultaneously. The use of new chip-based MALDI target resulted in a 2-fold reduction of relative mass errors. We could also report a significant reduction of ion suppression. The small size of the anchors provided a good platform for efficient utilization of sample. This resulted in a detection limit of ca. 1.5 attomole of angiotensin I at a S/N of 22:1. / QC 20101206

<p>This thesis covers sampling and analytical procedures for isocyanates (R-NCO) and amines (R-NH₂), two kinds of chemicals frequently used in association with the polymeric material polyurethane (PUR). Exposure to isocyanates may result in respiratory disorders and dermal sensitisation, and they are one of the main causes of occupational asthma. Several of the aromatic diamines associated with PUR production are classified as suspected carcinogens. Hence, the presence of these chemicals in different exposure situations must be monitored. </p><p>In the context of determining isocyanates in air, the methodologies included derivatisation with the reagent di-<i>n</i>-butylamine (DBA) upon collection and subsequent determination using liquid chromatography (LC) and mass spectrometric detection (MS). A user-friendly solvent-free sampler for collection of airborne isocyanates was developed as an alternative to a more cumbersome impinger-filter sampling technique. The combination of the DBA reagent together with MS detection techniques revealed several new exposure situations for isocyanates, such as isocyanic acid during thermal degradation of PUR and urea-based resins. Further, a method for characterising isocyanates in technical products used in the production of PUR was developed. This enabled determination of isocyanates in air for which pure analytical standards are missing. Tandem MS (MS/MS) determination of isocyanates in air below 10^-6 of the threshold limit values was achieved.</p><p>As for the determination of amines, the analytical methods included derivatisation into pentafluoropropionic amide or ethyl carbamate ester derivatives and subsequent MS analysis. Several amines in biological fluids, as markers of exposure for either the amines themselves or the corresponding isocyanates, were determined by LC-MS/MS at amol level. In aqueous extraction solutions of flexible PUR foam products, toluene diamine and related compounds were found. </p><p>In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates the usefulness of well characterised analytical procedures and techniques for determination of hazardous compounds. Without reliable and robust methodologies there is a risk that exposure levels will be underestimated or, even worse, that relevant compounds will be completely missed.</p>

<p>In the work underlying this thesis solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was evaluated as a passive sampling technique for organophosphate triesters in indoor air. These compounds are used on a large scale as flame-retarding and plastizicing additives in a variety of materials and products, and have proven to be common pollutants in indoor air. The main objective of this work was to develop an accurate method for measuring the volatile fraction. Such a method can be used in combination with active sampling to obtain information regarding the vapour/particulate distribution in different indoor environments. SPME was investigated under both equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions and parameters associated with these different conditions were estimated. </p><p>In <b>Paper I</b>, time-weighted average (TWA) SPME under dynamic conditions was investigated in order to obtain a fast air sampling method for organophosphate triesters. Among the investigated SPME coatings, the absorptive PDMS polymer had the highest affinity for the organophosphate triesters and was consequently used in all further work. Since the sampling rate is dependent on the agitation conditions, the linear airflow rates had to be carefully considered. Sampling periods as short as 1 hour were shown to be sufficient for measurements in the ng-μg m^-3 range when using a PDMS 100-μm fibre and a linear flow rate above 7 cm s^-1 over the fibre. </p><p>SPME under equilibrium conditions is rather time-consuming, even under dynamic conditions, for slowly partitioning compounds such as organophosphate triesters. Nevertheless, this method has some significant advantages. For instance, the limit of detection is much lower compared to 1 h TWA sampling. Furthermore, the sampling time can be ignored as long as equilibrium has been attained. In <b>Paper II</b>, SPME under equilibrium conditions was investigated and evaluated for organophosphate triester vapours. Since temperature and humidity are closely associated with the distribution constant a simple study of the effect of these parameters was performed. The obtained distribution constants were used to determine the air levels in a common indoor environment. SPME and parallel active sampling on filters yielded similar results, indicating that the detected compounds were almost entirely associated with the vapour phase</p><p>To apply dynamic SPME method in the field a sampler device, which enables controlled linear airflow rates to be applied, was constructed and evaluated (<b>Paper III</b>). This device was developed for application of SPME and active sampling in parallel.</p><p>A GC/PICI-MS/MS method was developed and used in combination with active sampling of organophosphate triesters in indoor air (<b>Paper IV</b>). The combination of MS/MS and the soft ionization achieved with methanol as reagent gas yielded high selectivity and detection limits comparable to those provided by GC with nitrogen-phosphorus detection (NPD). The method limit of detection, when sampling 1.5 m³ of air, was in the range 0.1-1.4 ng m^-3. In <b>Paper V</b>, the developed MS method was used in combination with SPME for indoor air measurements.</p><p>The levels detected in the investigated indoor environments range from a few ng to μg m^-3. Tris(2-chloropropyl) phosphate was detected at a concentration as high as 7 μg m^-3 in a newly rebuilt lecture room.</p>

The properties of industrially produced pulp and corresponding cooked pulp devised in the laboratory were studied during the first part of this project. The industrial pulp proved to have a lower surface charge compared to the laboratory-cooked pulp, while similar results were obtained during total charge analysis. Regarding properties such as fiber width and fiber length, no major differences between the pulps were found, and during the analysis of the total content of individual monosaccharides, only the amount of xylose differed showing a slightly lower amount for the laboratory-cooked pulp. Part two of the project included a method formation for analyzing the carbohydrate composition on the surface of pulp fibers. The sample containing polysaccharides was hydrolyzed with a mixture of cellulase and hemicellulase which resulted in gradual fiber peeling. The method itself may in fact need further development, but overall the test generated a positive outcome. To desalinate and lower the content of sugars within the enzyme mix before hydrolysis along with using calibration solutions containing enzymes were shown to be important factors in retaining optimal results.