Development of ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography‐ mass spectrometry and ultrahigh‐performance supercritical fluid chromatography‐mass spectrometry assays to determine the concentration of Bitrex™ and sodium saccharin in homemade facemask fit testing solutions

Herniman, Julie M.; Langley, G. John

RATIONALE: Fast and easily transferable chromatography‐mass spectrometry assays were required to detect and quantify the amount of Bitrex™ and sodium saccharin in homemade facemask fit testing solutions. METHODS: Bitrex™ solutions were analysed using reversed phase ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with positive ion electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (UHPLC/MS). Separation was achieved using a mobile phase gradient with an Acquity BEH C18 packed column. Sodium saccharin solutions were analysed using ultrahigh‐performance supercritical fluid chromatography coupled with negative ion electrospray ionisation (UHPSFC/MS). Separation was achieved using isocratic elution with an Acquity UPC(2) Torus Diol packed column and a methanol (25 mM ammonium acetate) co‐solvent. RESULTS: The calibration curves obtained using the ratio of the active compound an internal standard generated linear regression values (R(2)) > 0.99. Samples analysed prior to and after an autoclave sterilisation process and bottling give repeatable measurements within 10% of the expected concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The two assays afford a fast robust and quantitative analytical method for the detection of the active components used to test the efficacy of the homemade facemask testing solutions.