Strategy for successful urine sample preparation for LC-MS/MS device at drug verification laboratory

Abstract

Objectives The use of liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) device has increased significantly in toxicology validation laboratories in recent years. The maintenance cost of this expensive equipment is high as well as the cost of consumables. Reduction of the matrix effect and preparation more clear samples are very important for the validation of methods in clinical laboratories. The primary goal is to create a cleaner urine sample preparation technique to reduce the cost of maintenance of the LC-MS/MS device without affecting test results. Methods We prepared the patients’ urine in two different ways; routine urine preparation method and used our centrifuged method (14000 rpm, 10 minutes) for routine illicit substance use. The standard material used to determine whether there was a statistical difference in the urine sample with both different methods was added to both urine samples. Results Our findings showed that there was no statistical difference between the results of both methods for detection of illicit substance use. There was no difference between the high and low quantities of the 14 illicit substances measured and the centrifuged method and routine urine preparation methods (p<0.05). However, the urine sample obtained by our newly developed centrifuged method was cleaner, lucid and homogeneous. Conclusion Preliminary studies show that although the new centrifuged method is time-consuming, it can be reliable. The long-term use of this centrifugal method can reduce the costs of device maintenance, repair and consumption. So initial findings suggest that column costs and replacement processes may be positively affected.

Keywords

• LC-MS/MS
• Urine
• Toxicology
• Morphine
• Validation

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