Analysis of pharmaceuticals in fish using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Alejandro J. Ramirez, Mohammad A. Mottaleb, Bryan W. Brooks, C. Kevin Chambliss

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

220 Scopus citations

Abstract

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) screening method has been developed targeting 23 pharmaceuticals and 2 metabolites with differing physicochemical properties in fish tissue. Reversed-phase separation of target compounds was achieved using a C18 column and a nonlinear gradient consisting of 0.1% (v/v) formic acid and methanol. Eluted analytes were introduced into the mass analyzer using positive or negative electrospray ionization, as appropriate. A variety of extraction solvents, differing in polarity, pH, or both, were investigated in order to assess recovery of target compounds from 1-g tissue homogenates. Among 10 solvents tested, a 1:1 mixture of 0.1 M aqueous acetic acid (pH 4) and methanol was identified as optimal, resulting in extraction recoveries for 24 of 25 compounds exceeding 60%. Tissue extracts were found to influence the LC-MS/MS response for several analytes. Consequently, matrix-matched calibration standards were employed to determine analyte concentrations in environmental samples. Statistically derived method detection limits were <6 ng/g for most analytes. The method was subsequently used to screen for target analytes in fish from an effluent-dominated stream. Diphenhydramine, diltiazem, carbamazepine, and norfluoxetine were detected in 11 of 11 environmental samples at concentrations ranging from 0.11 to 5.14 ng/g.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3155-3163
Number of pages9
JournalAnalytical Chemistry
Volume79
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 15 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Analytical Chemistry

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