Gas chromatographic analysis of flunixin in equine urine after extractive methylation

A quantitative method for the analysis of flunixin, 2-(2-methyl-3-trifluoromethylanilino) nicotinic acid, in equine urine by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection has been developed. Flunixin and the internal standard, mefenamic acid, N-(2,3-xylyl) anthranilic acid, were analysed after extractive methylation of the carboxylic acid group using methyl iodide. The extraction and alkylation conditions of flunixin and mefenamic acid have been studied. The detection limit of the method was 0.25 mumol/l flunixin in urine (74 ng/ml). Flunixin was found to be conjugated to 96.5% in equine urine, and the conjugate was spontaneously hydrolysed to free flunixin. This approach can also be used to confirm the presence of flunixin or mefenamic acid in horse urine in the doping control of racehorses.