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Abstract: A unified procedure is proposed for the determination of thiodiglycol (TDG) and its oxide (TDGO) as markers of exposure to sulfur mustard in biomedical samples (urine, blood plasma, hairs) by gas chromatography-electron ionization mass spectrometry. The limit of detection of the procedure is comparable with the lowest level of endogenous TDG in biosamples (1 ng mL-1). Solid-phase microextraction of the derivatized analytes from the reaction mixture decreases the matrix effect. The procedure was tested in the analysis of rat biosamples obtained after in vivo exposure to sulfur mustard. The procedure was found to offer a higher potential in the retrospective determination of the total TDG and TDGO level in rat urine (within 7 days after exposure to 2 mg kg-1 of sulfur mustard) compared to the determination of the same markers in blood plasma. Blood plasma can be used for confirmatory analysis, provided the samples are taken within 2 days after exposure. Hair was found to be the least suitable biomatrix in view of the variability of the TDG background level in these samples and the possibility of contamination with TGD from other sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Features of the electron and chemical ionization mass spectra of derivatives of N-[2-[(hydroxyethyl)thio]ethyl]-DL-valine (НЕТЕ-Val)—a biomarker of sulfur mustard—recorded by GC-MS and GC-MS/MS are studied. The retention indices of the studied derivatives were measured. An optimized procedure of the GC-MS/MS (MRM mode) identification of НЕТЕ-Val was tested in the analysis of donor blood samples in vitro exposed to sulfur mustard. The linear range of the detector was from 10 to 100 ng mL-1, and the limit of detection for sulfur mustard was 10 ng mL-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative study of the efficiency of procedures for the determination of the biomarkers of organophosphorus agents (OPAs) in blood plasma was performed. It was found that the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry determination of OPAs reactivated from the composition of protein adducts is a rapid method for the detection of exposure to OPAs. The liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry determination of phosphonylated butyrylcholinesterase and albumin fragments modified with OPA residues provides an opportunity to perform more sensitive and retrospective analysis. The tyrosine adducts of OPAs with serum albumin and other blood plasma proteins are not prone to dealkylation in the course of aging; in the series of the test markers, they possess the greatest diagnostic value because they make it possible to determine the precise structure a toxic agent after the longest time interval after exposure. The tentative limit of detection of OPA markers varies from 0.1 to 1.0 ng/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry combined with solid-phase microextraction was used to study the composition of volatile organic compounds emitted by the filamentous fungus Fusarium culmorum. β-phellandrene, α-phellandrene, α-terpinene, p-cymene, and limonene were identified as markers. Their presence in the equilibrium vapor over an object studied can be regarded as identification sign of the infection by this type of Fusarium fungus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data on properties and existence forms of Russian poisonous substance VX (RVX) in environmental objects are presented. Hydrolysis of RVX with excessive amount of water in acidic medium as well as autocatalytic hydrolysis with equimolar amount of water were investigated. It was shown that in the first case destruction of RVX proceeded slower with more diverse composition of the products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Review substantiates the key role of gas chromatography mass spectrometry in determining organophosphorus chemical warfare agents and products of their transformations in the environment. Modern methods used in sample preparation for analysis, solid-phase and liquid extraction techniques, are presented. The problem of identification of organophosphorus chemical agents and their decomposition products and precursors in complex matrices in the untargeted analysis mode is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]