Application of Simultaneously Validated UHPLC-PDA and LC–ESI–MS/MS Methods for Determining 22 Antidepressants and Anxiolytics in Food Matrix Samples

Abstract

An analytical method based on UHPLC-PDA and LC–ESI–MS/MS was developed for the simultaneous and reliable determination of 22 antidepressant and anti-anxiety pharmaceutical compounds in adulterated functional foods. The method was validated in terms of specificity, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), method detection limit (MDL), method quantitation limit (MQL), precision, accuracy, recovery, stability, and matrix effect. For solid and liquid blank samples, the developed method had LOD = 0.10–1.01 μg/mL for UHPLC and 0.01–5.05 ng/mL for LC–ESI–MS/MS, respectively, LOQ = 0.30–3.02 μg/mL and 0.03–15.15 ng/mL, and R2 > 0.999 and R2 > 0.99. Recoveries from spiked blank samples in powder, liquid, tablet, and capsule forms were determined to be 80.13–113.76%. The precision, accuracy, and stability were acceptable, and the matrix effect was insignificant. A total of 118 real samples were successfully analysed using the proposed rapid screening method.