LC–MS Analysis of Sertraline and Its Active Metabolite in Human Serum Using a Silica Column with a Non-Aqueous Polar Mobile Phase

Abstract

A sensitive liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of sertraline (SER) and its major metabolite norsertraline (NOR) from serum was developed and validated in the context of a pharmacokinetic study in pregnant women. The separations were achieved on a silica column with a non-aqueous polar mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile, methanol and ammonium acetate at a flow rate of 0.5 mL min−1. The concentrations were measured using a single quadruple mass spectroscopic detector supplied with atmospheric pressure ionization electrospray. Sample preparation consisted of a simple liquid–liquid procedure. The detector was set in selective ion mode for each compound of interest, 306 m/z for SER and 275 m/z for NOR. Calibration curves were generated by least square linear regression for concentration of 5–160 ng mL−1 for SER and from 10 to 320 ng mL−1 for NOR. The curves for both compounds of interest were linear, with correlation coefficients r2 ≥ 0.999.