Plasma free metanephrine (MN) and normetanephrine (NMN), collectively known as Pmets, are preferred biomarkers for pheochromocytoma for clinical research. LC-MS/MS has become widely used to measure Pmets because of its high analytical specificity. Although our recently reported method utilizing LC-MS/MS using IP-SPE and PGC column chromatography is fast and analytically sensitive, it can be further improved by automating the offline sample preparation with online sample preparation technology, which is more time- and cost-effective.

Vitamin D, including vitamin D2 and D3 (Figure 1), is essential to calcium absorption and bone health. Current studies suggest vitamin D could help prevent a wide range of disorders. Although vitamin D can be synthesized by the human body from exposure to sunlight, fortification in some dietary sources becomes necessary. We describe an easy and comprehensive LC-MS/MS method using a Transcend TLX-1 system powered by Thermo Scientific TurboFlow technology to measure vitamin D levels in infant formula. TurboFlow technology eliminates most traditional sample preparation steps.

Worldwide food safety concerns have risen dramatically as the number of food contamination incidents and product recalls has increased. Every food analysis starts with sample preparation, which is widely accepted as one of the most critical steps of LC/MS. Increased demand for higher throughput, accuracy and lower matrix interference from food analysis laboratories has made sample preparation the largest bottleneck. Turbulent flow chromatography technology can eliminate the need for lengthy offline sample preparation steps, thereby eliminating these disadvantages.

Sudan dyes are red dyes used for coloring solvents, oils, waxes, petrol, or as additives in shoe and floor polish. They have been found in a number of food products such as chili / chili-containing products. Sudan dyes are banned as food additives in the USA, the EU, and many other countries, due to their links to cancer and other negative health effects. To overcome limitations in popular offline SPE and LC-UV measurements, we describe an easy, comprehensive LC method using a Transcend TLX-1 system powered by TurboFlow technology to analyze five illegal dye residues in a variety of sauces.

Quinolones, including fluoroquinolones, are a group of synthetic antibacterial compounds used in the treatment of several diseases. The presence of these compounds is an indication of unsafe practices of food production and deficient methods in the production of honey. We developed a sensitive and reproducible LC-MS/MS method for the quantitation of 12 fluoroquinolones and 4 quinolones in honey using automated extraction by TurboFlow technology as an alternative to the commonly used, time-consuming solid-phase extraction (SPE) method.