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

Conley JM, Symes SJ, Kindelberger SA, Richards SM

Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 615 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA. justinmconley@hotmail.com

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 surface water 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.

Published 10 March 2008 in J Chromatogr A, 1185(2): 206-15.
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