A homologous series of internal standards for near universal application in the discovery LC-MS/MS bioanalytical laboratory.

When using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to quantify In Vivo samples, an internal standard (ISTD) is key in correcting for variability within the sample extraction process and injection volume. Just as important is the ability of the internal standard to identify any matrix effects, which can artificially suppress or enhance the signal of the compound of interest. To properly do this, the internal standard should co-elute with the compound.

Detection of codeine, morphine, 6-monoacetylmorphine, and meconin in human umbilical cord tissue: method validation and evidence of in utero heroin exposure.

Background: Heroin abuse is a significant public health issue and is on the rise because of the unintended consequences of strengthening controls for nonmedical use of prescription pain killers. Included in this trend is an increase in opiate exposed newborns that are particularly vulnerable to a number of negative health outcomes.

Methods: After presenting a fully validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for codeine, morphine, 6-monoacetylmorphine, and meconin, a metabolite of the heroin contaminant noscapine, we compared the outcome of 46 authentic umbilical specimens with the results generated using a previous less sensitive method that did not include meconin.