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A liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS-MS) method has been developed for the determination of trenbolone in bovine urine and serum. The aim was a control of the misuse of trenbolone in food-producing animals. The procedure involved, in both cases, a preliminary solid-phase clean-up followed by a liquid-liquid extraction for urine samples after a preliminary enzymatic hydrolysis. The extracts have been directly analysed by reversed-phase LC-MS-MS in selected reaction monitoring (SRM), acquiring two diagnostic product ions from the chosen precursor [M+H](+). The procedures were validated across the concentration range of 1-1500 ng/ml. The linearity, the inter- and intra-day accuracy and precision have been determined. The procedure was specific and the accuracy values were better than 20% at the limit of quantitation of spiked samples. The limit of quantification (LOQ) and the limit of detection (LOD) were, respectively, 1 ng/ml and 350 pg/ml for urine and serum. According to the draft, SANCO/1805/2000, we determined the decision limit CCalpha and the detection capability CCbeta. The recovery values for urine ranged from 87 to 128%, and for plasma the recovery was 70+/-4%. The procedure proved to be simple and suitable for routine and confirmatory purposes such as those developed for residue studies.

Corticosteroids can be illegally administered to cattle as growth promoting agents to improve meat production. We developed a liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method able to identify and quantify flumethasone, one of the most potent fluorinated synthetic corticosteroid, in serum and urine from treated calves. The analyte was purified from urine (conjugated and free, following enzymatic hydrolysis) and from serum by C18 solid-phase and liquid-liquid extractions, then analyzed by LC-MS-MS monitoring the product ions of an abundant precursor (SRM in negative ionization mode). Results on flumethasone residues in biological fluids in three calves treated at different levels are presented. This method allowed the detection of flumethasone in bovine urine and serum at the 30-pg/ml level.

We propose a simple and accurate method for CE quantitative determination of somatostatin in pharmaceutical preparations. The method is specific for somatostatin as indicated by the resolution between the analyte and the analogue peptides which differ from somatostatin by one aminoacid. The linearity range is from 0.02 to 0.35 mg/ml. The recovery of the somatostatin from a pharmaceutical product is about 100.0%.

The ethereal extracts of wines, beer and vermouth were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The following three characteristic peaks were first identified using GC-MS and then quantitatively determined: 5-hydroxy-methyl-2-furaldehyde, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanol and 3-(2-hydroxyethyl)indole.

The analysis of bitter orange and grapefruit essential oils (non-volatile fraction) was carried out by HPLC in normal- and reversed-phase mode with UV detection. These oils were compared with the sweet orange and mandarin essential oils, analyzed previously. For the identification of chromatographic peaks, fractionation by RP-HPLC was carried out. The purified fractions were analyzed by GC-MS and LC-MS. Some new compounds were found, together with many others already identified in different citrus essential oils.

Catecholestrogens (CCEs), namely 2- or 4-hydroxyestradiol and hydroxyestrone, are highly polar, reactive, and extremely labile estrogen metabolites in many experimental conditions. For these reasons, indirect assay methods mainly have been used. Some experimental evidence suggests that CCEs are synthesized and biologically active mostly in target cells. At this level, unfortunately, the indirect assays cannot be used. We present a method of gas chromatographic/mass spectral (GC/MS) analysis for the identification of individual CCEs; the major fragmentation ions of authentic estrogen standards as trimethylsilylether derivatives, and the MS patterns of the major CCEs, namely, 2-hydroxyestradiol and hydroxyestrone, are included. Few examples of CCEs detected in human breast cancer tissues and in breast cyst fluids are reported. Sample extracts were submitted to reversed-phase, high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and were quantified by "on line" electrochemical (EC) detection; thereafter, either crude extracts or single eluted peaks were submitted to GC/MS, by which detection limits of less than 5 pmol were attained. As expected, the molecular ion was the most relevant molecule in all but one case. On the contrary, the other relative intensities of major fragmentation ions M -15, M -30, M -90, and M -15 + (-90) were unevenly distributed, although represented in the majority of cases. In all cases, the GC/MS of peak fractions, purified by RP-HPLC and UV detection, confirmed the results of liquid chromatographic analysis combined with EC detection. In contrast, GC/MS of crude extracts was not equally satisfactory. Comparison of a liquid chromatography system with EC detection and the GC/MS approach revealed some inconsistency in quantitation of individual CCEs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A procedure is described for the detection of anabolic steroids in urine by using capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The method is suitable for doping control and has a sensitivity as low as 1 ppb. The excretion mode and the metabolism of ten commercial anabolic steroids is reported.

The results and the improvement of the analytical procedures adopted for the control of doping in horses will be reported. This control has been systematically carried out in Italy for about 10 years in the laboratories of Italian Federation of Sport and Medicine in which the biological samples for the control of doping in various sport activities (football, cycling, athletics etc.) are also examined. In this way it is possible to use the same instruments for all these similar problems and compare the results. The analytical procedure is based on the following steps: 1) Extraction of the samples (mainly urine but sometimes blood or saliva). 2) Screening tests by thin-layer chromatography. 3) Confirmatory tests by gas chromatography on different columns and also by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. These single steps will be separately discussed, and practical problems encountered will be presented.

Twelve phenolalkylamines normally used in different pharmaceutical products were determined in urine from volunteers given a therapeutical dose of the drug. The urine extracts were first derivatized with perfluoro propionic or butyric anhydride, then detected by capillary gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The method is highly sensitive and specific in the analysis of biological samples.