Clenbuterol Detection in Horse Plasma with Bruker EVOQ

Fremont, CA, September 9, 2013.

A new article has been made available by Bruker detailing the use of the EVOQ™ liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (LC-TQ) for the analysis of the prohibited drug clenbuterol in equine plasma. The article, entitled ‘Race for the Prize', explores the advantages of LC-MS for plasma analysis and details a method for using the EVOQ LC-TQ to test for illicit substances within horse plasma samples. Authored by Bruker LC-TQ specialists and published in the August issue of Laboratory News the full article is now available to read at http://bit.ly/BCA541.

Clenbuterol is a controversial substance in both human and equine sport, used to increase basal metabolism rates, blood pressure and oxygen transport and helping build muscle mass while reducing body-fat. While the drug can be used sincerely for veterinary treatment, prior to competitive events its use is widely prohibited. Beyond racing its residual presence within the food chain has become a concern following the recent horsemeat contamination scandal in Europe.

The detection of clenbuterol presents significant analytical challenges, as the liquid eluent sample is often de-solvated under the heated probe gas, causing labile organic components to coalesce and lead to degradation in sensitivity. The unique gas flow dynamics within the ion source for the EVOQ avoids areas of coalescence and eliminates gas recirculation. The new article details the analysis of 400 matrix samples of clenbuterol in crashed equine plasma, prepared via the ‘dilute and shoot’ method. The experiment maintained a consistent response factor (<10% RSD) indicating superior ion source robustness and sustained high sensitivity performance.

“The incorporation of industry standard triple quadrupole mass spectrometry along with the range of novel features makes the EVOQ LC-TQ eminently suited to the detection of dopants within organic samples, such as equine plasma,” commented Joe Anacleto, Bruker CAM Vice President of Market Development. “The unique Active Exhaust design allows the ion source on the EVOQ LC-TQ to perform at the highest sensitivity level despite repeated exposure to the matrix, ensuring peace of mind in the often unforgiving conditions of a quantitative analysis laboratory.”

About Bruker Corporation

For over 50 years Bruker Daltonics has embodied innovation with integrity as demonstrated by its development of world-class scientific instruments. Bruker’s Chemical and Applied Markets (CAM) division, headquartered in Fremont, California was established in April 2010. Its formation was in response to the dynamic and ever significant separation and analysis market, providing fundamentally new instruments and solutions for customers in a range of applied industrial areas including: food testing, environmental analysis, toxicology testing, forensic analysis, quality control and pharmacokinetics. Today, Bruker’s CAM division serves all of these industry areas, pioneering the migration of technology from research to the commercial laboratory. For more information please visit www.bruker.com.