Integrating Effect-Directed Analysis and Chemically Indicative Mass Spectral Fragmentation to Screen for Toxic Organophosphorus Compounds

Anal Chem. 2023 Feb 7;95(5):2623-2627. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04842. Epub 2023 Jan 23.

Abstract

Analytical chemists are often challenged to screen for bioactive compounds in complex matrices, sometimes without a priori knowledge of the exact compound of interest. Therefore, "flagging" techniques, highlighting common characteristics of bioactive compounds, are highly sought after. In this work, we demonstrate a double flagging method, where unknown organophosphorus acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are "flagged" out of a complex matrix by the presence of organophosphorus-indicative ions as well as their acetylcholinesterase inhibition. This is accomplished by flagging the LC chromatographic retention time of phosphorus-indicative ions using accurate mass high-energy in-source CID products, and the retention time of acetylcholinesterase inhibiting compounds using a parallel microfractionation-based bioassay. We successfully apply this method to screen VX, VM, and RVX nerve agents as well as methomyl, a carbamate pesticide, out of soil and whole blood samples at low μM to sub-μM concentrations. This methodology can be easily extended to diverse chemical families and biological activities of interest.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase*
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / analysis
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / toxicity
  • Humans
  • Organophosphorus Compounds* / analysis

Substances

  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Acetylcholinesterase
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors