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Low levels of hypocretin-1 (Hcrt1) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are associated with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1). Although immunoassays are prone to antibody batch differences, detection methods and variation between laboratories, the standard method for Hcrt1 measurement is a radioimmunoassay (RIA). Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is an antibody- and radioactive free alternative for precise measurement of Hcrt1. We developed an LC-MS/MS method for measurement of Hcrt1 in CSF with automated sample preparation by solid-phase extraction (SPE). The LC-MS/MS method was compared with the RIA method for Hcrt1 detection. CSF samples from healthy subjects and NT1 patients was obtained by lumbar puncture. NT1 patients were diagnosed according to the minimal criteria by the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD). The LC-MS/MS method showed linearity across the range of calibrators and had a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.5 pg/mL and a limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 3.6 pg/mL. Comparison of the LC-MS/MS method with RIA revealed a 19 times lower level in healthy controls and 22 times lower level in NT1 patients with the LC-MS/MS method than with RIA. Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated agreement between the methods. These results question what is detected by RIA and strongly suggest that the physiological concentrations of the peptide are much lower than previously believed. LC-MS/MS proves to be an alternative for detection of Hcrt1 for diagnosis of narcolepsy.

A procedure used by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority for surveillance of contaminants from plastic food contact materials (polyolefin drinking bottles, water boilers, polyamide cooking utensils and plastic multi-layer materials) is described. It is based on gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analysis of food simulants exposed to plastic materials. Most migrants were substances not-intentionally added to the plastic (degradation products, impurities) or originated from non-plastic components, such as printing inks, adhesives, not-listed additives, solvents and coatings. Hence, the majority of the identified migrants were regulated by the general statements in the EU Framework Regulation, which neither specify limits nor requirements regarding risk assessment, rather than by specific migration controls. Risk assessment has been carried out for selected non-authorized substances. The analysis and the management of these substances and materials with respect to safety represents a challenge to the food authorities.

Gas chromatography was coupled with plasma mass spectrometry with a microplasma ion source for negative ion detection. The ion source, which was kept inside the high vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer, was a rigid fused silica capillary tube containing a capacitively coupled radiofrequency helium plasma. This made the setup quite simple: eliminating the sampler–skimmer pressure-reducing interface traditionally used in plasma mass spectrometry. The present study describes the utilization of halogen-selective negative ion detection. A high selectivity of fluorine to hydrocarbon compounds (3 × 10³), and a highly sensitive detection for F, Cl, Br, and I (0.13–12 pg s⁻¹), were obtained. The mechanisms of negative ion formation and breakdown were discussed in conjunction with the results that were achieved.

Capillary gas chromatography was performed with mass spectrometric detection using a novel microplasma ion source for operation in an element‐selective mode. The ion source was a 350 kHz radio frequency helium plasma, which was sustained inside the 4 cm end of a 0.32 mm i.d. fused silica capillary column, and located inside the high vacuum chamber of the quadrupole mass spectrometer. Due to the low volume of the ion source, a stable low pressure discharge was produced utilizing only the 2.25 mL min−1 of GC carrier gas (helium) for plasma support. Small amounts of oxygen (0.1–0.2% v/v) were added to the plasma gas in order to prevent carbon deposits and to enhance signal‐to‐noise ratios. Chlorine and bromine were selectively detected at the 5–20 pg s−1 level (S/N = 2), and both produced a response that was linear within 3 orders of magnitude.

Simultaneous element‐selective detection of the halogens and carbon was accomplished with capillary gas chromatography coupled with microplasma mass spectrometry. The microplasma ion source was a radio frequency plasma contained inside the last 4–5 cm of the 0.32 mm i.d. fused silica capillary column. The ion source was located inside the high vacuum housing of the MS, and only the GC carrier gas (2.3 mL min−1 of helium) was used for plasma generation. Atomic ions were detected in the positive mode. Detection limits were in the low picogram area, and the selectivity to carbon ranged from 8×102 for fluorine to higher than 104 for the other halogens. By introduction of both hydrogen and oxygen as reagent gases, peak tailing was avoided by suppression of analyte reactions with the silica walls of the ion source. Special attention was given to the fluorine‐selective detection due to an interfering background species at m/z 19, assumed to be H3O+ originating from the reagent gases. The background signal was minimized by careful control of the power level.