Geraldine Dowling

Development of a rapid, multi-class method for the confirmatory analysis of anti-inflammatory drugs in bovine milk using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

A rapid liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous identification, confirmation and quantitation of seven licensed anti-inflammatory drugs (AIDs) in bovine milk. The method was validated in accordance with the criteria defined in Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Two classes of AIDs were investigated, corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The developed method is capable of detecting and confirming dexamethasone (DXM), betamethasone (BTM), prednisolone (PRED), tolfenamic acid (TLF), 5-hydroxy flunixin (5-OH-FLU), meloxicam (MLX) and 4-methyl amino antipyrine (4-MAA) at their associated maximum residue limits (MRLs). These compounds represent all the corticosteroids and NSAIDs licensed for use in bovine animals producing milk for human consumption. These compounds have never been analysed before in the same method and also 4-methyl amino antipyrine has never been analysed with the other licensed NSAIDs. The method can be considered rapid as permits the analysis of up to 30 samples in one day. Milk samples are extracted with acetonitrile; sodium chloride is added to aid partition of the milk and acetonitrile mixture. The acetonitrile extract is then subjected to liquid-liquid purification by the addition of hexane. The purified extract is finally evaporated to dryness and reconstituted in a water/acetonitrile mixture and determination is carried out by LC-MS/MS. Decision limit (CCalpha) values and detection capability (CCbeta) values have been established for each compound.

Rapid confirmatory analysis of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in bovine milk by rapid resolution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

A rapid method has been developed to analyse carprofen (CPF), diclofenac (DCF), mefenamic acid (MFN), niflumic acid (NIFLU), naproxen (NAP), oxyphenylbutazone (OXYPHEN), phenylbutazone (PBZ) and suxibuzone (SUXI) residues in bovine milk. Milk samples are extracted with acetonitrile and sample extracts were purified on Evolute ABN solid phase extraction cartridges. Aliquots were analysed by rapid resolution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (RRLC-MS/MS) with a runtime of 6.5 min. The method was validated in bovine milk, according to the criteria defined in Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. CCalpha values of 0.46, 1.08, 0.92, 1.26, 1.29, 2.12, 0.55 and 2.86 ng mL(-1) were determined for CPF, DCF, MFN, NIFLU, NAP, OXYPHEN, PBZ and SUXI, respectively. CCbeta values of 0.79, 1.85, 1.56, 2.15, 2.19, 3.62, 0.94 and 4.87 ng mL(-1) were determined for CPF, DCF, MFN, NIFLU, NAP, OXYPHEN, PBZ and SUXI, respectively. The measurement uncertainty of the method was estimated at 9, 28, 28, 45, 46, 45, 10 and 39% for CPF, DCF, MFN, NIFLU, NAP, OXYPHEN, PBZ and SUXI. Fortifying bovine milk samples (n=18) in three separate assays, show the accuracy of the method to be between 82 and 108%. The precision of the method, expressed as RSD values for the within-lab reproducibility at the three levels of fortification (5, 7.5 and 10 ng mL(-1)) was less than 16%, respectively. The advantage of the method is that low ng mL(-1) levels can be detected and quantitatively confirmed rapidly in milk and that 3 batches of samples can be analysed within a single day using RRLC-MS/MS with a runtime of 6.5 min.

A new mixed mode solid phase extraction strategy for opioids, cocaines, amphetamines and adulterants in human blood with hybrid liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry detection

A rapid method has been developed to analyse morphine, codeine, 6-monoacetylmorphine, cocaine, benzoylecgonine, dihydrocodeine, cocaethylene, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, ketamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, pseudoephedrine, lignocaine, benzylpiperazine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, methadone, phenethylamine and levamisole in human blood. Blood samples were cleaned up using mixed mode solid phase extraction using Evolute™ CX solid phase extraction cartridges and the sample aliquots were analysed by hybrid triple quadrupole linear ion trap (QTRAP) mass spectrometry with a runtime of 12.5 min. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) as survey scan and an enhanced product ion (EPI) scan as dependent scan were performed in an information-dependent acquisition (IDA) experiment. Finally, drug identification and confirmation was carried out by library search with a developed in-house MS/MS library based on EPI spectra at a collision energy spread of 35 ± 15 in positive mode and MRM ratios. The method was validated in blood, according to the criteria defined in Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. At least two MRM transitions for each substance were monitored in addition to EPI spectra. Deuterated analogues of analytes were used as internal standards for quantitation where possible. The method proved to be simple and time efficient and was implemented as an analytical strategy for the illicit drug monitoring of opioids, cocaines, amphetamines and adulterants in forensic cases of crime offenders, abusers or victims in the Republic of Ireland.

Determination of ibuprofen, ketoprofen, diclofenac and phenylbutazone in bovine milk by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A method has been developed to analyse for ibuprofen (IBP), ketoprofen (KPF), diclofenac (DCF) and phenylbutazone (PBZ) residues in bovine milk. Milk samples were extracted with acetonitrile and sample extracts were purified on Isolute™ C18 solid-phase extraction cartridges. Aliquots were analysed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The method was validated in bovine milk, according to the criteria defined in Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The decision limits (CCα were 0.59, 2.69, 0.90 and 0.70 ng ml−1, respectively, for IBP, KPF, DCF and PBZ, and detection capabilities (CCβ) of 1.01, 4.58, 1.54 and 1.19 ng ml−1, respectively, were obtained. The measurement uncertainty of the method was 17.8%, 80.9%, 28.2% and 20.2% for IBP, KPF, DCF and PBZ, respectively. Fortifying bovine milk samples (n = 18) in three separate assays show the accuracy of the method to be between 104% and 112%. The precision of the method, expressed as relative standard deviations for the within-laboratory reproducibility at the three levels of fortification (5, 7.5 and 10 ng ml−1) was less than 8% for IBP, DCF and PBZ, respectively. Poor precision was obtained for KPF with a relative standard deviation of 28%.

Confirmatory analysis of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in bovine milk by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

HPLC with fluorescence detection is considered for confirmatory analysis of group B veterinary drugs by the European Union legislation. A procedure for confirming the presence of anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drug (NSAID) residues in bovine milk by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection is herein described. The native fluorescence of nine drugs belonging to different NSAID sub-classes, namely flurbiprofen, carprofen, naproxen, vedaprofen, 5-hydroxy-flunixin, niflumic acid, mefenamic acid, meclofenamic acid and tolfenamic acid, allowed for detection in bovine milk down to 0.25-20.0 microg/kg. Confirmation of the nine NSAIDs is attained by fluorescence detection at characteristic excitation and emission wavelengths. The procedure described is simple and selective. Limits of quantification (LOQs) ranging between 0.25 and 20 microg/kg were measured; satisfactory trueness and within-laboratory reproducibility data were calculated at LOQ spiking levels, apart from 5-hydroxy-flunixin. The procedure developed is used in our laboratory for confirmation of each one of the above mentioned NSAIDs in bovine milk, to support results after HPLC quantitative analysis with UV-vis detection.

A method for CP 47, 497 a synthetic non-traditional cannabinoid in human urine using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid method has been developed to analyse CP 47, 497 in human urine. Urine samples were diluted with water:acetonitrile (90:10, v/v) and sample aliquots were analysed by triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry with a runtime of 5 min. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) as survey scan was performed. The method was validated in urine, according to an in-house validation protocol based on the criteria defined in Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Three MRM transitions were monitored. The decision limit (CCα) was 0.01μg mL⁻¹ and for the detection capability a (CCβ) value of 0.02 μg mL⁻¹ was obtained. The measurement uncertainty of the method was 21%. Fortifying human urine samples (n=18) in three separate assays, show the accuracy of the method to be between 95 and 96%. The precision of the method, expressed as RSD values for the within-lab reproducibility at the three levels of fortification (0.1, 0.15 and 0.2 μg mL⁻¹) was less than 10% respectively. The method proved to be simple, robust and time efficient. To the best of our knowledge there are no LC-MS methods for the determination of CP 47, 497 with validation data in urine.

A hybrid liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry strategy in a forensic laboratory for opioid, cocaine and amphetamine classes in human urine using a hybrid linear ion trap-triple quadrupole mass spectrometer

A rapid method has been developed to analyse morphine, codeine, morphine-3-glucuronide, 6-monoacetylmorphine, cocaine, benzoylegonine, buprenorphine, dihydrocodeine, cocaethylene, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, ketamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, pseudoephedrine, lignocaine, benzylpiperazine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine and methadone in human urine. Urine samples were diluted with methanol:water (1:1, v/v) and sample aliquots were analysed by hybrid linear ion trap-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry with a runtime of 12.5 min. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) as survey scan and an enhanced product ion (EPI) scan as dependent scan were performed in an information-dependent acquisition (IDA) experiment. Finally, drug identification and confirmation was carried out by library search with a developed in-house MS/MS library based on EPI spectra at a collision energy spread of 35±15 in positive mode and MRM ratios. The method was validated in urine, according to the criteria defined in Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. At least two MRM transitions for each substance were monitored in addition to EPI spectra and deuterated analytes were used as internal standards for quantitation. The reporting level was 0.05 μg mL(-1) for the range of analytes tested. The regression coefficients (r(2)) for the calibration curves (0-4 μg mL(-1)) in the study were ≥0.98. The method proved to be simple and time efficient and was implemented as an analytical strategy for the illicit drug monitoring of opioids, cocaines and amphetamines in criminal samples from crime offenders, abusers or victims in the Republic of Ireland. To the best of our knowledge there are no hybrid LC-MS applications using MRM mode and product ion spectra in the linear ion trap mode for opioids, cocaines or amphetamines with validation data in urine.

Analytical strategy for the determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in plasma and improved analytical strategy for the determination of authorised and non-authorised non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in milk by LC–MS/MS

A sensitive and selective method for the determination of six non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in bovine plasma was developed. An improved method for the determination of authorised and non-authorised residues of 10 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in milk was developed. Analytes were separated and acquired by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with an electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometer (ESI–MS/MS). Target compounds were acidified in plasma, and plasma and milk samples were extracted with acetonitrile and both extracts were purified on an improved solid phase extraction procedure utilising Evolute™ ABN cartridges. The accuracy of the methods for milk and plasma was between 73 and 109%. The precision of the method for authorised and non-authorised NSAIDs in milk and plasma expressed as % RSD, for the within lab reproducibility was less than 16%. The % RSD for authorised NSAIDs at their associated MRL(s) in milk was less than 10% for meloxicam, flunixin and tolfenamic acid and was less than 25% for hydroxy flunixin. The methods were validated according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC.

Confirmatory analysis of firocoxib in bovine milk by rapid resolution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

A rapid method has been developed to analyse for firocoxib (FIRO) residue in bovine milk. Milk samples were extracted with acetonitrile and sample extracts were purified on Evolute ABN solid phase extraction cartridges. Aliquots were analysed by rapid resolution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (RRLC-MS/MS). The method was validated in bovine milk, according to the criteria defined in Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The decision limit (CCalpha) was 1.18ng/mL and for the detection capability a (CCbeta) value of 2.02ng/mL was obtained. The measurement uncertainty of the method was 27%. Fortifying bovine milk samples (n=18) in three separate assays, show the accuracy of the method to be between 96 and 105%. The precision of the method, expressed as RSD values for the within-lab reproducibility at the three levels of fortification (5, 7.5 and 10ng/mL) was less than 11% respectively.

Analytical strategy for the confirmatory analysis of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs firocoxib, propyphenazone, ramifenazone and piroxicam in bovine plasma by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

A sensitive and selective method for the simultaneous determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in bovine plasma was developed. Confirmatory analysis was carried out by liquid chromatography coupled with an electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometer (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Target compounds were acidified in plasma and extracted with acetonitrile. Sodium chloride was added to assist separation of the plasma and acetonitrile mixture. The acetonitrile extract is then subjected to liquid-liquid purification by the addition of hexane. Accuracy of the methods in plasma was between 93 and 102%. The precision of the method for the basic NSAIDs in plasma expressed as % RSD, for the within-laboratory reproducibility was less than 10%. Decision limit (CCα values) and detection capability (CCβ) values were established. The methods were validated according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC.