Application of a validated high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assay to the analysis of m- and p-hydroxybenzoylecgonine in meconium

J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2005 Jun 5;820(1):151-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2005.03.027. Epub 2005 Apr 18.

Abstract

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-mass spectrometry (MS) assay, already validated for opiates and cocaine in meconium, has been re-applied for determination of m- and p-hydroxybenzoylecgonine, using nalorphine as the internal standard. Methodology included an initial extraction from the matrix by methanol and then a solid-phase extraction (SPE). A reversed-phase chromatography was used with a gradient of 1% acetic acid-acetonitrile coupled to atmospheric pressure ionization electrospray-mass spectrometry single ion monitoring mode. This method, validated in the range 0.005-1.00 microg analytes/g meconium, proved useful to identify and quantify these two metabolites in meconium samples, already tested for the presence of cocaine, benzoylecgonine and cocaethylene. A positivity of range of concentrations varied between 0.007 and 0.338 microg/g, confirming the importance of these two hydroxylated derivatives to monitor fetal exposure to cocaine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods*
  • Cocaine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cocaine / analysis*
  • Cocaine / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Meconium / chemistry*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / methods*

Substances

  • 3-hydroxybenzoylecgonine
  • Cocaine