Analysis of β-lyase metabolites of sulfur mustard in urine by electrospray liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract

A method is described for the analysis of β-lyase metabolites of sulfur mustard, 1-methylsulfinyl-2-[2-(methylthio)ethylsufonyl]ethane and 1,1′-sulfonylbis [2-(methylsulfinyl)ethane], in human urine. The analytes were concentrated from urine on an ENV+ solid-phase extraction cartridge and analyzed by liquid chromatography-positive ion electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry in the selected reaction monitoring mode. Quantitation was performed against deuterated internal standards. Limits of detection were 0.1-0.5 ng/mL. The metabolites were detected in samples of urine from human casualties of sulfur mustard poisoning. The method provides a simpler alternative to gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis, avoiding the need for reduction to less polar analytes.