Rapid liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of a broad mixture of pharmaceuticals in surface water

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

2008

Authors

Conley, Justin
Symes, Steven
Kindelberger, Scott
Richards, Sean

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Journal of Chromatography A. www.sciencedirect.com

Abstract

Herein, a new method for the detection of 13 different pharmaceuticals and one metabolite in surface water at low ng/L levels is described. The method utilizes ultra performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and a solid-phase extraction sample preparation. Mean method detection limits were low (4.10 ng/L) and overall solid-phase extraction recovery and reproducibility was adequate (mean recovery, 77.9%; mean RSD, 7.3%). The method allows for quick run times and minimal solvent use as compared with other previously reported high performance liquid chromatography-based methods. Application of this method for the detection of pharmaceuticals in Tennessee River surfacewater determined that caffeine, sulfamethoxazole, and carbamazepine were frequently detected (100% of samples). Trimethoprim was moderately detected (30% of samples); acetaminophen, atorvastatin, and lovastatin were infrequently detected (10% of samples); and ciprofloxacin, diltiazem, fluoxetine, levofloxacin, norfluoxetine, ranitidine, and sertraline were not detected. This study reports the first detection of lovastatin in surface water.

Description

Keywords

ultra performance liquid chromatography, solid-phase extraction, tandem mass spectrometry, environmental analysis, surface water, pharmaceutical

Citation

Collections