Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39447825›Full record

ArticleClinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry2025

Urine organic acid metabolomic profiling by gas chromatography mass spectrometry: Assessment of solvent extract evaporation parameters on the recovery of key diagnostic metabolites.

Rachel S Carling, Karolina Witek, Erin C Emmett, Claire Gallagher, Stuart J Moat

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Rachel S CarlingGKT School Medical Education, Kings College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, UK; Biochemical Sciences, Synnovis, Guys & St Thomas' NHSFT, London, UK. Electronic address: Rachel.Carling@kcl.ac.uk.
Karolina WitekBiochemical Sciences, Synnovis, Guys & St Thomas' NHSFT, London, UK.
Erin C EmmettBiochemical Sciences, Synnovis, Guys & St Thomas' NHSFT, London, UK.
Claire GallagherDepartment of Medical Biochemistry, Immunology & Toxicology, University Hospital Wales, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK.
Stuart J MoatDepartment of Medical Biochemistry, Immunology & Toxicology, University Hospital Wales, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK; School of Medicine, Cardiff University, University Hospital Wales, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK.

Funding

Medical Research Council MR/Y008057/1
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAnalysis of urinary organic acids (UOAs) by gas chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) is widely used in metabolomic studies. It is a complex test with many limitations and pitfalls yet there is limited evidence in the literature to support best practice. This study investigated the impact of drying down time and temperature on the recovery of 16 key analytes from solvent extracts.

methodsPooled urine specimens were enriched with organic acids. Urine aliquots (n = 3) were acidified and extracted into diethyl ether and ethyl acetate. Extracts were dried under nitrogen at ambient temperature (25 °C); 40 °C; 60 °C then left for 0; +5; +15 min. Dried extracts were derivatised with N,O,-bis-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide prior to analysis by GC-MS. Urine specimens from individuals with biotinidase deficiency, maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) and ketotic hypoglycemia were analysed to demonstrate the potential clinical impact.

resultsRecovery of shorter chain hydroxycarboxylic acids decreased significantly when extracts were dried above 25 °C (mean recovery 89 % at 60 °C, p < 0.01) or left under nitrogen post-drying (mean recovery at ambient + 15 min, 40 °C + 15mins and 60 °C + 15mins was 56 %, 12 % and 2 %, respectively, p < 0.01). Whilst dicarboxylic acids/medium chain fatty acids were unaffected by temperature (mean recovery 100 %), prolonged drying reduced recovery (mean recovery 85 % at 60 °C + 15mins, p < 0.01).

conclusionsEvaporation of solvent extracts with heat and/or prolonged drying under nitrogen results in significant losses of the shorter chain hydroxycarboxylic acids. The evaporation protocol must be carefully controlled to ensure accurate and reproducible results, preventing misdiagnoses and/or misinterpretation of results.

Indexed as

Gas Chromatography-Mass SpectrometryMetabolomicsSolventsHumansTemperatureUrinalysisSolventsAnalysisGC–MSInherited metabolic diseaseMetabolomicsOrganic acids

Identifiers

PMID39447825
PMCPMC11876077

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