Use of benchtop exactive high resolution and high mass accuracy orbitrap mass spectrometer for screening in horse doping control.

The research discusses the use of a high-resolution orbitrap mass spectrometer for screening horse doping control. The study overcomes the limitation of existing technologies by enabling screening for more than 235 target compounds simultaneously without loss of sensitivity.

Methodology

• The researchers adopted a novel screening technique routinely employed in the French horse doping control laboratory. This technique centered on high-resolution (50000) and high mass accuracy (<5 ppm) targeting at least 235 analytes from an initial volume of 5 mL urine.
• The sample preparation relied on solid-phase extraction using reverse phase C18 cartridges.
• The analyses were conducted on a Shimadzu binary HPLC pump linked to a C18 Sunfire column, in association with the high-resolution exactive benchtop orbitrap mass spectrometer.

Data Collection and Analysis

• The screening was performed using both positive and negative ionization modes during the same run.
• Compounds of interest were identified based on their exact mass in positive-negative ionization mode at their expected retention time.
• All data were processed using ToxID software, which can identify a molecule based on its theoretical mass and retention time.

Validation Data

• To demonstrate the application of this innovative technology, the researchers presented validation data based on 20 target compounds from 16 different horse urine samples.
• The paper further discusses sample preparation, chromatograms and spectra obtained.

This study represents a significant advancement in the strategies for horse doping control. The use of high-resolution orbitrap mass spectrometry improves the precision and efficacy of screening processes, paving the way for stringent doping control.