A spot test for determination of residual TBA levels in 18F-radiotracers for human use using Dragendorff reagent

Anal Methods. 2020 Nov 7;12(41):5004-5009. doi: 10.1039/d0ay01565b. Epub 2020 Oct 1.

Abstract

When utilizing [18F]tetrabutylammonium fluoride ([18F]TBAF) in the synthesis of 18F-labeled radiotracers for clinical positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, it is necessary to confirm that residual TBA levels in formulated doses do not exceed established specifications (≤2.6 mg per patient dose). Historically this has been accomplished using HPLC, but this is time consuming for short-lived PET radiotracers and limited by the need for expensive equipment. This motivated us to introduce a TLC spot test for determining residual TBA, and we have developed a new method which employs the Dragendorff reagent. Herein we report details of the TLC method and use it to quantify residual TBA in different formulations of 6-[18F]fluoro-DOPA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Fluorine Radioisotopes*
  • Humans
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*

Substances

  • Fluorine Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals