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A rapid screening LC‐MS/MS method based on conventional HPLC pumps for the analysis of low molecular weight xenobiotics: application to doping control analysis
Author(s) -
Mazzarino Monica,
de la Torre Xavier,
Botrè Francesco,
Gray Nicola,
Cowan David
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
drug testing and analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.065
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1942-7611
pISSN - 1942-7603
DOI - 10.1002/dta.148
Subject(s) - chromatography , chemistry , analyte , high performance liquid chromatography , mass spectrometry , urine , detection limit , tandem mass spectrometry , electrospray ionization , biochemistry
This study presents a fast multi‐analyte screening method specifically developed for the detection of xenobiotics in urine. The proposed method allows the screening of several classes of substance in a single chromatographic method with a run‐time of 11 min, inclusive of post‐run and reconditioning times. Chromatographic separation is achieved in 7.2 min using a reversed‐phase 2.7 µm fused‐core particle column, generating a back‐pressure not exceeding 400 bar and therefore enabling the use of traditional high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) instruments. The effectiveness of this approach was evaluated, by liquid‐chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) in positive electrospray ionization, using 20 blank urine samples spiked with 45 compounds prohibited in sport: 11 diuretics, 16 glucocorticoids, 9 stimulants, 5 anti‐oestrogens, as well as formoterol, carboxy‐finasteride (previously prohibited by the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) in 2008), gestrinone and tetrahydrogestrinone. Qualitative validation shows the proposed method to be specific with no significant interference. All of the analytes considered in this study were clearly distinguishable in urine, with limits of detection ranging from 5 ng/mL to 350 ng/mL, significantly below the Minimum Required Performance Levels (MRPL) set by WADA for the accredited sports anti‐doping laboratories. All compounds of interest were separated, including synthetic and endogenous glucocorticoids with similar retention times and fragmentation patterns. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.