Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To establish a wide-scope screening method for illegal additives based on HPLC-QTOF, including targeted screening strategies based on database search and non-targeted screening strategies based on characteristic ions.
METHODS The 243 compounds were selected to build an in-house database by HPLC-QTOF. Target screensing were conducted by the Find By Formular algorithm of MassHunter software comparing the retention times, primary and secondary mass spectra. Summarized the fragmentation patterns, selected characteristic ions, and used Find ByAuto MS/MS algorithm combined with fragmentation patterns for non targeted screening.
RESULTS The method was applied to analyze 100 samples, among which 4-acetamidophenol, diclofenac, sildenafil, phenolphthalein, sibutramine were found. In particular, non-target substances such as diethylaminopretadalafil were also detected out.
CONCLUSION With the advantages of rapidness and high-throughput, the method provided a new approach for high-throughput and wide-scope screening of various illegal additives.