超高效液相色谱-三重四极杆质谱法同时检测人尿中12种单羟基多环芳烃代谢物

建立了高效、准确的同时测定人体尿样中多种多环芳烃代谢物的方法。取10.0 mL尿液,酶解,经固相萃取净化浓缩、0.2 μm滤膜过滤后,以Acquity UPLC^®HSS T3（100 mm×2.1 mm,1.8 μm）为分析柱,甲醇和水为流动相,采用负离子电喷雾多反应监测模式检测样品中多环芳烃代谢物的含量。12种多环芳烃代谢物在0.04~20.0 μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数>0.99,方法检出限为0.01~0.41 μg/L,平均回收率为80.0%~105%,批内RSD为1.21%~9.12%,批间RSD为4.43%~19.7%。应用该方法对淮河流域某区域的100份人体尿样进行了检测,多环芳烃代谢物的检出率为98%。该方法操作简单,灵敏度高,选择性好,可同时检测尿中12种羟基多环芳烃代谢物。     

High-temperature ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry applied to ibuprofen metabolites in human urine

The application of sub-2 microm porous particle liquid chromatography (LC) operated at elevated temperatures, coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS), to the separation and identification of metabolites of ibuprofen present in human urine following oral administrations is illustrated. The LC/MS system generated a high-resolution analytical separation that, with an analysis time of 20 min, provided a peak capacity in the order of ca. 350. Using this system a total of nine glucuronides of the drug and its metabolites were detected, including a number of isomeric acyl glucuronides of ibuprofen itself, a side-chain-oxidized carboxylic acid acyl glucuronide and a number of acyl glucuronides of various hydroxylated metabolites. The identities of the metabolites were confirmed by their accurate mass values and the presence of the common fragment ions from ibuprofen.     

Trace analysis of antidepressants in environmental waters by molecularly imprinted polymer-based solid-phase extraction followed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

This paper presents the development, optimization, and validation of an innovative method to analyze trace concentrations of seven selected psychoactive pharmaceuticals in environmental waters. Hereby, the solid-phase extraction (SPE) potential of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) in terms of extraction recovery, breakthrough, precision, and selectivity is studied for the first time. Instrumental analysis by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry allowed a rapid (run time = 7.5 min) and sensitive (instrumental detection limit ≤7 pg injected) quantification of the target analytes. A systematic optimization study revealed that, among the seven compounds of interest, mainly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors paroxetine, fluoxetine, and citalopram are selectively retained on the MIPs. Experiments performed in spiked river water, sewage treatment plant (STP) effluent and influent showed for these compounds extraction recoveries higher than 70%, breakthrough volumes up to 200 mL, method detection limits (MDL) as low as 0.5 ng/L, and good precision (exemplified by relative standard deviations better than 15%, n ≥ 3). Compared to the widely used hydrophilic–lipophilic balanced (HLB) polymers, the newly developed MIPs indicated to be more resistant toward matrix effects induced ion signal suppression particularly when dealing with relative dirty samples like STP influents. As a result of the better selectivity, the MDL obtained with the MIP-based SPE method was up to a factor of 7 lower compared to those obtained with a recently reported multi-residue HLB method. However, optimizing a HLB method in terms of selectivity, e.g., by introducing a stronger washing protocol, can significantly reduce its MDL up to values approximating those obtained with MIPs.     

超高效液相色谱-三重四极杆质谱法快速同时测定牛奶中53种β-内酰胺类抗生素及其代谢产物的残留

建立了超高效液相色谱-三重四极杆质谱快速测定牛奶中53种β-内酰胺类抗生素及其代谢产物残留的检测方法。牛奶样品经等量乙腈沉淀去蛋白、超滤后,以0.1%(v/v,下同)甲酸水溶液和0.1%甲酸乙腈溶液作为流动相进行梯度洗脱,在ACQUITY BEH C18色谱柱上实现分离,一次进样分析仅需10 min,正离子电喷雾多反应监测(MRM)模式检测,基体工作曲线内标法定量。线性范围从方法的定量限至200μg/kg,相关系数均优于0.991 1,平均加标回收率在71%~121%之间,相对标准偏差为1.7%~19%(n=6)。方法简单、快速,每人每天可处理50多份样品,检出限能够满足我国和欧盟对兽药残留的最高限量要求,适合于牛奶样品中53种β-内酰胺类抗生素及其代谢产物的快速筛查和定量测定。     

超高效液相色谱-三重四极杆质谱法测定人尿中9种邻苯二甲酸酯代谢物

建立了人尿中9种邻苯二甲酸酯（PAE）代谢物的超高效液相色谱-三重四极杆质谱（UPLC-MS/MS）测定方法。2 mL尿液样本酶解2 h后,经强阴离子固相萃取净化处理;选用Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH Phenyl色谱柱（100 mm×2.1 mm,1.7 μ m）,以0.1%（体积分数）乙酸乙腈和0.1%（体积分数）乙酸水溶液为流动相进行梯度洗脱;在负离子电喷雾多反应监测模式（MRM）下测定9种PAE代谢物含量。8种PAE代谢物在0.39~200 μ g/L范围内、1种PAE代谢物在1.17~600 μ g/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数均大于0.995。方法检出限为0.06~0.85 μ g/L,定量限为0.20~2.80 μ g/L。3个加标水平的加标回收率为84.1%~122%,精密度为4.5%~14.3%;日内精密度不高于9.3%,日间精密度不高于10.1%;基质效应和稳定性符合分析要求。应用该方法测定50份人尿液样本,邻苯二甲酸单环已酯（MCHP）和邻苯二甲酸单苄酯（MBZP）的检出率分别为0和44.0%,其余7种PAE代谢物的检出率为100%。该方法操作简单、定量准确、稳定性好,适用于人尿中9种PAE代谢物的定量分析。     

Online solid-phase extraction liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of buprenorphine and three metabolites in human urine

An online solid-phase extraction (SPE) liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method for the determination of buprenorphine (Bup), norbuprenorphine (nBup), buprenorphie-3-beta-d-glucuronide (Bup-3-G) and norbuprenorphie-3-beta-d-glucuronide (nBup-3-G) in human urine was developed and validated. A mixed mode SPE column with both hydrophilic and lipophilic functions was used for online extraction. A C18 column was employed for LC separation and ESI-MS/MS was utilized for detection. Buprenorphine-D(4) (Bup-D4) and norbuprenophine-D3 (nBup-D3) were used as internal standards for quantitative determination. The extraction, clean-up and analysis procedures were controlled by a fully automated six-port switch valve. Identification and quantification were based on the following transitions: m/z 468-->414 for Bup, m/z 414-->364 for nBup, m/z 644-->468 for Bup-3-G and m/z 590-->414 for nBup-3-G, respectively. Good recoveries from 93.6% to 102.2% were measured and satisfactory linear ranges for these analytical compounds were determined. Minimal ion suppression effect (approximately 7% response decrease) was determined. Intra-day and inter-day precision showed coefficients of variance, CV, ranged from 3.3% to 10.1% and 4.4% to 9.8%, respectively. Accuracy ranging from 97.0% to 104.0% was determined. The applicability of this newly developed method was demonstrated by analyzing human urine samples from the patients in Bup treatment program for therapeutic monitoring purpose.     

Multi-mycotoxin analysis in eggs using a QuEChERS-based extraction procedure and ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

A reliable and rapid method has been developed for the determination of 10 mycotoxins (beauvericin, enniatin A, A1, B1, citrinin, aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2 and ochratoxin A) in eggs at trace levels. Ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) has been used for the analysis of these compounds in less than 7 min. Mycotoxins have been extracted from egg samples using a QuEChERS-based extraction procedure (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) without applying any further clean-up step. Extraction, chromatographic and detection conditions were optimised in order to increase sample throughput and sensitivity. Matrix-matched calibration was used for quantification. Blank samples were fortified at 10, 25, 50 and 100 μg kg(-1), and recoveries ranged from 70% to 110%, except for ochratoxin A and aflatoxin G1 at 10 μg kg(-1), and aflatoxin G2 at 50 μg kg(-1). Relative standard deviations were lower than 25% in all the cases. Limits of detection ranged from 0.5 μg kg(-1) (for aflatoxins B1, B2 and G1) to 5 μg kg(-1) (for enniatin A, citrinin and ochratoxin A) and limits of quantification ranged from 1 μg kg(-1) (for aflatoxins B1, B2 and G1) to 10 μg kg(-1) (for enniatin A, citrinin and ochratoxin A). Seven samples were analyzed and aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, and beauvericin were detected at trace levels.     

基于非靶标筛查的超高效液相色谱-三重四极杆质谱法检测尿液样品中的酰基肉碱

建立了一种基于母离子扫描模式的超高效液相色谱-三重四极杆质谱检测尿液中酰基肉碱的分析方法。对酰基肉碱类化合物所共有的m/z为60、85和144的碎片离子进行选择性检测,结合化合物母离子扫描的结果及其对应的保留时间,选取一致性较好的化合物进行筛选,再利用高分辨质谱确认,最终检测到37种酰基肉碱化合物,其中有14种尚未被HMDB和LIPID MAPS数据库收录。该方法可应用于其他生物样本(如血液、组织)中酰基肉碱的定性、定量分析,可作为检测酰基肉碱化合物的新选择。     

Simultaneous determination of four water-soluble vitamins in fortified infant foods by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

A novel ultra-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of four water-soluble vitamins, including vitamin B5 (VB5), vitamin B8 (VB8), vitamin B9 (VB9), and vitamin B12 (VB12) in fortified infant foods is developed and validated. A reverse phase UPLC separation system consisting of a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C-18 column (2.1 mm x 100 mm i.d., 1.7 microm) and a binary gradient acetonitrile-water mobile phase is applied for the separation of the four water-soluble vitamins. Formic acid is spiked into the mobile phase to enhance the ionization efficiency. Tandem MS-MS analysis is performed in multi-reaction monitoring mode (MRM). Product-ion traces at m/z 220.1 --> 89.9 for VB5, 245.1 --> 227.1 for VB8, 442.3 --> 295.2 for VB9, and 678.9 --> 147.0 for VB12 are used for quantitation of the corresponding vitamins, and traces at m/z 455.5 --> 308.0 are used for methotrexate (internal standard). Limits of quantitation (LOQs) are 0.016, 0.090, 0.020, and 0.019 microg/L for VB5, VB8, VB9, and VB12, respectively. Intra- and inter-day precisions for the determination of the four vitamins are better than 6.84% and 12.26% in relative standard deviations, and recoveries for the four vitamins are in the range of 86.0~101.5%. The developed approach is applied for the determination of the trace amounts of the vitamins in fortified milk powers and fortified rice powers.     

Determination of phthalate esters in vegetable oils using direct immersion solid-phase microextraction and fast gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

Phthalates are a group of synthetic compounds mainly used as plasticizers, which have been classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals and potential human-cancer causing agents. They can be found in high amounts in foods, deriving mainly from plastic packaging. The analytical determination of these compounds is very challenging since they are ubiquitous. Therefore, minimization of sample manipulation is highly desirable.     

Analysis of ethylenethiourea as a biomarker in human urine using liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

Ethylenebisdithiocarbamates (EBDCs) are widely used fungicides. Ethylenethiourea (ETU), the main metabolite and also a contaminant in the commercially available products, is of major toxicological concern. In this study, a method using liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) is described for the analysis of ETU in human urine after a single-step extractive derivatization using pentafluorobenzyl bromide (PFBBr). Analysis was carried out using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) in the positive ion mode. Quantification of ETU was performed using [(2)H(4)]-labeled ETU as internal standard (IS). The limit of detection (LOD) was determined to 0.05 ng/mL. The method was linear in the range 0.1-54 ng/mL urine and had a within-run precision of 3-5%. The between-run precision was determined at an average urine level of 2 and 10 ng/mL urine and found to be 9%. The inter-batch precision was 6%. To validate ETU as a biomarker of exposure, the method was applied in a human experimental oral exposure to the commercial fungicide Ridomil Gold, containing 64% mancozeb and 4.5% ETU. Two healthy volunteers received 8.9 microg/kg body weight (b.w.) Ridomil Gold in a single oral dose followed by urine sampling for 104 h post-exposure. The elimination half-life of ETU was estimated to 17-23 h.     

Identification of metabolites of geniposide in rat urine using ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry

Geniposide, an iridoid glycoside, is an important and characteristic compound in the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, a commonly used medicinal herb in Chinese traditional and folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation and jaundice. However, few studies have been carried out on the metabolism of geniposide. In this study, we have established a rapid and sensitive method using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI‐QTOF‐MS) for analysis of the metabolic profile of geniposide in rat urine after oral administration. A total of ten metabolites were detected and identified by comparing their fragmentation patterns with that of geniposide using Metabolynx? and MassFragment? software tools. The results revealed that the principal metabolism pathways of geniposide in rat occurred after deglycosylation of the irdoid glycoside take place and this is followed by glucuronidation and the pyran‐ring cleavages. The major metabolite, the glucuronic acid conjugate of genipin as observed in vivo, was further confirmed by the in vitro enzymatic study. The results of this work have demonstrated the feasibility of the UPLC/ESI‐QTOF‐MS approach for rapid and reliable characterization of metabolites from iridoid compounds. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Metabolism of olaquindox in rat and identification of metabolites in urine and feces using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Olaquindox (OLA), N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methyl-2-quinoxalincarboxamide-1,4-dioxide, is an antimicrobial and growth-promoting agent for animals, which has been banned or allowed only limited use for its potential toxicity. To thoroughly understand the metabolic pathways, metabolism of OLA in rat was studied using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry with MS(E) and mass defect filtering techniques. Twenty metabolites (M1-M20) were detected in rat feces and urine, of which nine phase I metabolites (M6, M7, M11-M16) and four phase II metabolites (M17-M20) were found in vivo for the first time. The structures of metabolites were reliably characterized on the basis of accurate mass and fragment ions in MS(E) spectra. The major metabolic pathways reported previously in pigs, including reduction of N→O groups, oxidation of the alcohol and hydrolysis, were also confirmed in this study. In addition, hydroxylation of the methyl group, N-dehydroxyethylation and glucuronidation were also proved to be the important metabolic pathways, which contribute to improving our knowledge about in vivo metabolism of OLA.     

固相萃取-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定人尿中苯氧乙酸除草剂和有机磷、拟除虫菊酯农药代谢物北大核心CSCD

基于96孔固相萃取-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法,建立了人尿中2种苯氧乙酸除草剂、2种有机磷农药代谢物和4种拟除虫菊酯农药代谢物的测定方法。通过对液相色谱条件、质谱条件和样品前处理过程的系统优化,实现了在16 min内对8种目标分析物的分析测定。具体方法:1 mL尿液经β-葡萄糖醛酸酶酶解过夜,Oasis HLB 96孔固相萃取进行目标分析物的提取净化,甲醇洗脱;以0.1%(体积分数)乙酸乙腈和0.1%(体积分数)乙酸水作为流动相,Acquity BEH C_(18)作为分析柱进行色谱分离;负离子电喷雾(ESI-)多反应监测(MRM)模式下检测目标化合物,同位素内标法定量。2,4-二氯苯氧乙酸(2,4-D)、2,4,5-三氯苯氧乙酸(2,4,5-T)2种苯氧乙酸除草剂和3-苯氧基苯甲酸(3-PBA)、4-氟-3-苯氧基苯甲酸(4F-3PBA)、反式二氯乙烯基二甲基环丙烷羧酸(trans-DCCA)3种拟除虫菊酯农药代谢物在0.1~100μg/L内、对硝基苯酚(PNP)、3,5,6-三氯-2-吡啶酚(TCPY)2种有机磷农药代谢物、顺式二氯乙烯基二甲基环丙烷羧酸(cis-DCCA)1种拟除虫菊酯代谢物在0.2~100μg/L内线性关系良好,相关系数均大于0.9993;方法检出限为0.02~0.07μg/L,方法定量限为0.08~0.2μg/L;低、中、高3个水平下的加标回收率为91.1%~110.5%,日内精密度为2.9%~7.8%,日间精密度为6.2%~10%。应用该方法测定了214份尿液样本。结果显示除2,4,5-T外,其余7种目标分析物均有检出。TCPY、PNP、3-PBA、4F-3PBA、trans-DCCA、cis-DCCA、2,4-D的检出率为2.8%~99.1%。检出浓度(中位值)由高到低分别是2.0μg/L(TCPY)、1.8μg/L(PNP)、0.99μg/L(trans-DCCA)、0.81μg/L(3-PBA)、0.44μg/L(cis-DCCA)、0.35μg/L(2,4-D)和未检出(4F-3PBA)。该方法操作简便,定量准确,灵敏度高,每批次可完成96个样品测定,适用于人尿中多种农药及农药代谢物的批量分析测定。     

Characterization of chemical components of Periplocae Cortex and their metabolites in rats using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Periplocae Cortex, named Xiang-Jia-Pi in China, has been widely used to treat autoimmune diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis. However, the in vivo substances of Periplocae Cortex remain unknown yet. In this study, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used for profiling the chemical components and related metabolites of Periplocae Cortex. A total of 98 constituents were identified or tentatively characterized in Periplocae Cortex: 42 C21 steroidal glycosides, 10 cardiac glycosides, 23 organic acids, 4 aldehydes, 7 triterpenes, and 12 other types. Among them, 18 components were unambiguously identified by comparison with reference standards. In addition, 176 related xenobiotics (34 prototypes and 142 metabolites) were screened out and characterized in rats’ biosamples (plasma, urine, bile, and feces) after the oral administration of Periplocae Cortex. Moreover, the metabolic fate of periplocoside S-4a, a C21 steroidal glycoside, was proposed for the first time. In summary, phase II reactions (methylation, glucuronidation, and sulfation), phase I reactions (hydrolysis reactions, oxygenation, and reduction), and their combinations were the predominant metabolic reactions of Periplocae Cortex in rat. It is the first report to reveal the in vivo substances and metabolism feature of Periplocae Cortex. This study also provided meaningful information for further pharmacodynamics study of Periplocae Cortex, as well as its quality control research.     

Sensitive biomonitoring of phthalate metabolites in human urine using packed capillary column switching liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization ion-trap mass spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive method for the determination of the phthalate monoesters monoethyl phthalate (MEP), monobutyl phthalate (MBP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) and monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), in human urine, using packed capillary column liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray quadrupole-ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI-QITMSⁿ) has been developed. Sample volumes of 200 L of deconjugated and diluted urine were loaded onto a precolumn of 30 mm×0.32 mm I.D. packed with Hypercarb 5 m particles, using a sample carrier consisting of acetonitrile/water (15/85, v/v, adjusted to pH 2 using HCl) with a flow rate of 20 L/min. Backflushed elution onto a 100 mm×0.32 mm I.D. analytical column packed with 5 m Hypercarb particles was conducted using a tetrahydrofuran/water gradient where both solvents contained 10 mM ammonium acetate, at a flow rate of 4 L/min. Determination of the monophthalates was achieved within 8 min. Ionization was performed in the negative mode and the analytes were observed as [M-H]^– at m/z=193.1, 221.1, 255.1 and 277.0 for MEP, MBP, MBzP and MEHP, respectively. Quantification was performed in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode monitoring the fragments at m/z=121.1, 177.0, 183.0 and 233.0 for MEP, MBP, MBzP and MEHP, respectively. The method was validated over the concentration range 2.5–125 ng/mL in pretreated urine samples, corresponding to 25–1250 ng/mL untreated urine, yielding correlation coefficients in the range 0.996–0.999. The within-assay (n=6) and between-assay (n=6) repeatabilities were in the range 4.0–18% and 4.8–15% RSD, respectively. The mass limits of detection were in the range 32–70 pg, corresponding to concentration limits of detection of 1.6–3.5 ng/mL of untreated urine.     

固相萃取-三重串联四极杆气相色谱/质谱联用分析蔬菜中43种农药残留留

建立了气相色谱/三重四极杆串联质谱同时分析蔬菜中43种农药残留的方法。采用乙腈提取样品中待测组分,经固相萃取法(SPE)净化后采用气相色谱/三重四极杆串联质谱在多反应监测(MRM)模式下进行外标法定量测定。分别对青菜进行3个水平(10、80、200 μg/kg)的加标回收试验,其回收率为62.2%～170.0%,其中36种农药的回收率为70.0%～120.0%。方法的相对标准偏差(RSD)小于18%,定量限(LOQ)为0.3～4.4 μg/kg。该分析方法背景干扰低,灵敏度高,适合蔬菜中多种农药及杀虫剂残留的测定。     

Analysis of phenoxyacetic acid herbicides as biomarkers in human urine using liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

Phenoxyacetic acids are widely used herbicides. The toxicity of phenoxyacetic acids is debated, but high-level exposure has been shown to be hepatotoxic as well as nephrotoxic in animal studies. An inter-species difference in toxic effects has been found, with dogs particularly susceptible. In this study a method using liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) is described for the analysis of 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA), and its metabolite 4-chloro-2-hydroxymethylphenoxyacetic acid (HMCPA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) in human urine. The urine samples were treated by acid hydrolysis to degrade possible conjugations. The sample preparation was performed using solid-phase extraction. Analysis was carried out using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) in the negative ion mode. Quantification of the phenoxyacetic acids was performed using [(2)H(3)]-labeled MCPA and 2,4-D as internal standards. The method was linear in the range 0.05-310 ng/mL urine and has a within-run precision of 2-5%. The between-run precision in lower concentration ranges was between 6-15% and between 2-8% in higher concentration ranges. The limit of detection was determined to 0.05 ng/mL. The metabolites in urine were found to be stable during storage at -20 degrees C. To validate the phenoxyacetic acids as biomarkers of exposure, the method was applied in a human experimental oral exposure to MCPA, 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T. Two healthy volunteers received 200 microg of each phenoxyacetic acid in a single oral dose followed by urine sampling for 72 h post-exposure. After exposure, between 90 and 101% of the dose was recovered in the urine. In the female subject, 23%, and in the male subject 17%, of MCPA was excreted as HMCPA.     

Quantitative determination of piritramide in human plasma and urine by off- and on-line solid-phase extraction liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

A method for the liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) quantification of piritramide, a synthetic opioid, in plasma after conventional off-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) and in urine by on-line SPE-LC/MS/MS in positive electrospray mode was developed and validated. Applicability of the on-line approach for plasma samples was also tested. Deuterated piritramide served as internal standard. For the off-line SPE plasma method mixed cation-exchange SPE cartridges and a 150 x 2 mm C18 column with isocratic elution were used. For the on-line SPE method, a Waters Oasis HLB extraction column and the same C18 analytical column in a column-switching set-up with gradient elution were utilized. All assays were linear within a range of 0.5-100 ng/mL with a limit of detection of 0.05 ng/mL. The intra- and interday coefficients of variance ranged from 1.3 to 6.1% for plasma and 0.5 to 6.4% for urine, respectively. The extraction recovery for the off-line plasma assay was between 90.7 and 100.0%. Influence of matrix effects, and freeze/thaw and long-term stability were validated for both approaches; influence of urine pH additionally for quantification in urine.