A Method for the Analysis of Glyphosate, Aminomethylphosphonic Acid, and Glufosinate in Human Urine Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry. 2022

Zhong-Min Li, and Kurunthachalam Kannan
Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.

The extensive use of herbicides, such as glyphosate and glufosinate, in crop production during recent decades has raised concerns about human exposure. Nevertheless, analysis of trace levels of these herbicides in human biospecimens has been challenging. Here, we describe a method for the determination of urinary glyphosate, its degradation product aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and glufosinate using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC−MS/MS). The method was optimized using isotopically labelled internal standards (13C2, 15N-glyphosate, 13C, 15N, D2-AMPA, and D3-glufosinate) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) with cation-exchange and anion-exchange cartridges. The method provides excellent chromatographic retention, resolution and peak shape of target analytes without the need for strong acidic mobile phases and derivatization steps. The instrument linearity was in the range of 0.1−100 ng/mL, with R > 0.99 in the matrix for all analytes. The method detection limits (MDLs) and the method quantification limits (MQLs) were in the ranges of 0.12 (AMPA and glufosinate)−0.14 (glyphosate) ng/mL and 0.40 (AMPA)−0.48 (glyphosate) ng/mL, respectively. The recoveries of analytes spiked into urine matrix ranged from 79.1% to 119%, with coefficients of variation (CVs) of 4−10%. Repeated analysis of samples for over 2 weeks showed intra-day and inter-day analytical variations of 3.13−10.8% and 5.93−12.9%, respectively. The matrix effects for glyphosate, AMPA, and glufosinate spiked into urine matrix averaged −14.4%, 13.2%, and 22.2%, respectively. The method was further validated through the analysis of external quality assurance proficiency test (PT) urine samples. The method offers optimal sensitivity, accuracy, and precision for the urine-based assessment of human exposure to glyphosate, AMPA, and glufosinate.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D002853 Chromatography, Liquid Chromatographic techniques in which the mobile phase is a liquid. Liquid Chromatography
D005998 Glycine A non-essential amino acid. It is found primarily in gelatin and silk fibroin and used therapeutically as a nutrient. It is also a fast inhibitory neurotransmitter. Aminoacetic Acid,Glycine, Monopotassium Salt,Glycine Carbonate (1:1), Monosodium Salt,Glycine Carbonate (2:1), Monolithium Salt,Glycine Carbonate (2:1), Monopotassium Salt,Glycine Carbonate (2:1), Monosodium Salt,Glycine Hydrochloride,Glycine Hydrochloride (2:1),Glycine Phosphate,Glycine Phosphate (1:1),Glycine Sulfate (3:1),Glycine, Calcium Salt,Glycine, Calcium Salt (2:1),Glycine, Cobalt Salt,Glycine, Copper Salt,Glycine, Monoammonium Salt,Glycine, Monosodium Salt,Glycine, Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate,Acid, Aminoacetic,Calcium Salt Glycine,Cobalt Salt Glycine,Copper Salt Glycine,Hydrochloride, Glycine,Monoammonium Salt Glycine,Monopotassium Salt Glycine,Monosodium Salt Glycine,Phosphate, Glycine,Salt Glycine, Monoammonium,Salt Glycine, Monopotassium,Salt Glycine, Monosodium
D006540 Herbicides Pesticides used to destroy unwanted vegetation, especially various types of weeds, grasses (POACEAE), and woody plants. Some plants develop HERBICIDE RESISTANCE. Algaecide,Algicide,Herbicide,Algaecides,Algicides
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000097797 Glyphosate Active compound in herbicidal formulations that inhibits 3-PHOSPHOSHIKIMATE 1-CARBOXYVINYLTRANSFERASE. Gliphosate,Glyphosate Hydrochloride (2:1),Glyphosate, Calcium Salt,Glyphosate, Calcium Salt (1:1),Glyphosate, Copper (2+) Salt,Glyphosate, Dilithium Salt,Glyphosate, Disodium Salt,Glyphosate, Magnesium Salt,Glyphosate, Magnesium Salt (2:1),Glyphosate, Monoammonium Salt,Glyphosate, Monopotassium Salt,Glyphosate, Monosodium Salt,Glyphosate, Sodium Salt,Glyphosate, Zinc Salt,Yerbimat,Kalach 360 SL,N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine,Roundup
D000613 Aminobutyrates Derivatives of BUTYRIC ACID that contain one or more amino groups attached to the aliphatic structure. Included under this heading are a broad variety of acid forms, salts, esters, and amides that include the aminobutryrate structure. Aminobutyric Acids,Aminobutyric Acid,Acid, Aminobutyric,Acids, Aminobutyric
D053719 Tandem Mass Spectrometry A mass spectrometry technique using two (MS/MS) or more mass analyzers. With two in tandem, the precursor ions are mass-selected by a first mass analyzer, and focused into a collision region where they are then fragmented into product ions which are then characterized by a second mass analyzer. A variety of techniques are used to separate the compounds, ionize them, and introduce them to the first mass analyzer. For example, for in GC-MS/MS, GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY is involved in separating relatively small compounds by GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY prior to injecting them into an ionization chamber for the mass selection. Mass Spectrometry-Mass Spectrometry,Mass Spectrometry Mass Spectrometry,Mass Spectrometry, Tandem
D018350 alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid An IBOTENIC ACID homolog and glutamate agonist. The compound is the defining agonist for the AMPA subtype of glutamate receptors (RECEPTORS, AMPA). It has been used as a radionuclide imaging agent but is more commonly used as an experimental tool in cell biological studies. AMPA,AMPA, (+-)-Isomer,AMPA, (R)-Isomer,AMPA, (R)-Isomer, Monohydrobromide,AMPA, (S)-Isomer,AMPA, (S)-Isomer, Monohydrobromide,alpha Amino 3 hydroxy 5 methyl 4 isoxazolepropionic Acid
D063065 Organophosphonates Carbon-containing phosphonic acid compounds. Included under this heading are compounds that have carbon bound to either OXYGEN atom or the PHOSPHOROUS atom of the (P Phosphonate,Phosphonates,Phosphonic Acid Esters,Acid Esters, Phosphonic,Esters, Phosphonic Acid

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