Simultaneous determination of a broad spectrum of nonconjugated xenobiotics by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A procedure was developed for screening 23 corticosteroids, 12 anabolic steroids, 23 diuretics, and 49 central nervous system stimulants and narcotics. The sample preparation includes extraction, the evaporation of the organic extract in a nitrogen flow, and the dissolution of the dry residue. The extract was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure electrospray ionization under different recording conditions. Negatively charged ions were recorded to determine corticosteroids and diuretics, while positively charged ions, to determine anabolic steroids, diuretics, stimulants, and narcotics. Mass spectra were obtained for all test compounds; the characteristic ions, retention times, detection limits, degree of ionization suppression by the matrix, and recovery were determined for all analytes.