LC–MS analysis of trimethoxyamphetamine designer drugs (TMA series) from urine samples

A sensitive liquid chromatography–mass spectrometric (LC–MS) method for quantification of an active psychedelic hallucinogenic drugs (trimethoxyamphetamines) in human urine after solid-phase extraction (SPE) with C18 cartridge was developed and validated. Chromatographic separation was achieved on reversed-phase Phenomenex 3.0 μm Polar Plus column (150 mm × 2.1 mm) with acetonitrile −0.2% acetic acid as mobile-phase and the step gradient elution resulted in a total run time of about 20 min. The analytes were detected by using an electrospray positive ionization mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. In the evaluated concentration range (10–200 ng/mL) (R2 ≥ 0.998) a good linear relationship was obtained. The lower limits of detection (LLODs) and quantification (LLOQs) ranged from 4.26 to 9.12 ng/mL and from 13.18 to 29.22 ng/mL, respectively. Average recoveries ranged from 68.52 to 97.90% in urine at the concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 ng/mL. Intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations were 3.70–10.77% and 7.63–12.94%, respectively. This LC–MS method proved to be robust and reliable, and suitable for the use as a confirmation method in clinical urine drug testing.