Simultaneous HPLC gradient analysis of 15 benzodiazepines and selected metabolites in postmortem blood

Iain M. McIntyre, Marie L. Syrjanen, Kerryn Crump, Soumela Horomidis, Allison W. Peace, Olaf H. Drummer

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Abstract

The simultaneous Identification and quantitation of 15 benzodiazepines and selected metabolites in postmortem blood, serum, or liver homogenate is described. The assay involves extraction with diethylether, followed by an acid clean-up step of the ether. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Nova-Pak phenyl 18 column using ultraviolet detection at 240 nm. A gradient HPLC system was developed to improve separation of nitro-reduction metabolites from the solvent front and endogenous peaks. The mobile phases consisted of a gradient from 15 to 28% acetonitrile in 40mM potassium phosphate buffer. Within-run and day-to-day precision were generally 10–15%. The method described is sensitive and reproducible for the analysis of benzodiazepine concentrations in postmortem tissues.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)202-207
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Analytical Toxicology
Volume17
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 1993

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