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Direct analysis of drugs by continuous‐flow fast‐atom bombardment and tandem mass spectrometry
Author(s) -
Seifert William E.,
Ballatore Annie,
Caprioli Richard M.,
Boyd R. K.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.1290030407
Subject(s) - chemistry , benzoylecgonine , mass spectrometry , fast atom bombardment , tandem mass spectrometry , analytical chemistry (journal) , mass spectrum , chromatography , triple quadrupole mass spectrometer , selected reaction monitoring , reproducibility , metabolite , biochemistry
The techniques of continuous‐flow fast‐atom bombardment (CF‐FAB) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) are combined and applied to the analysis of small molecular mass drugs (mol.wt < 500 Da). The approach involves the interfacing of a CF‐FAB inlet with a triple‐stage quadrupole mass spectrometer, enabling the acquisition of collision‐activated decomposition mass spectra of the drugs after FAB ionization. The relationship between a stable sample surface on the CF‐FAB probe tip and the quality of the mass spectrum is discussed, as are practical methods for obtaining and maintaining surface stability. CF‐FAB MS/MS spectra for several drugs are presented, including penicillin G, phentolamine, cocaine and benzoylecgonine. Minimum detection limits range from 50–500 pg injected, depending on the compound. The reproducibility of the integrated areas of peaks from repetitive injections is approximately five per cent. Data are also presented for the direct CF–FAB MS/MS analysis of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in spiked urine samples.