CE-DAD-MS/MS in the simultaneous determination and identification of selected antibiotic drugs and their metabolites in human urine samples

In this study, a new analytical method was developed and validated for the simultaneous analysis of antibiotic drugs (amoxicillin, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, linezolid, metronidazole) and their metabolites (amoxycilloic acid, amoxicillin diketopiperazine, 3-desacetyl cefotaxime lactone, clindamycin sulfoxide, ciprofloxacin piperazinyl-N4-sulfate, linezolid N-oxide, metronidazole-OH) in human urine. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) along with the tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was used to determine and identify all analytes. Appropriate conditions for MS/MS measurements along with the use of the central composite design were optimized. The effects of different analytical conditions (the composition, the concentration, and the pH value of the background electrolyte, the time and pressure of the injection, the capillary temperature and influence of the organic modifier) on the migration and separation of antibiotic drugs and metabolites were examined using the CE-DAD. The analytical procedure was linear for concentrations ranging from 20 to 1000 ng/mL, with determination coefficients higher than 0.99 for all the analytes. The validated analytical procedure was then applied to the measurement of antibiotic drugs and their metabolites in human urine samples.

Automated summary

A new analytical method was developed and validated for simultaneous analysis of antibiotic drugs and their metabolites in human urine using capillary electrophoresis and tandem mass spectrometry. The method was linear and accurate for concentrations ranging from 20 to 1000 ng/mL.