title: Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for the quantitation of cantharidin in human serum.
abstract: A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method utilising single-ion monitoring at a resolution of 3000 to quantitate cantharidin in post-mortem serum is described. Serum was acidified, extracted with toluene, and 1 microliter of the toluene extract subjected to GC-MS analysis. Clofibrate was used as internal standard. The method displayed a high degree of specificity and was accurate and precise, with a linear response in the concentration range 15-150 ng/ml. A cantharidin concentration of 72.3 ng/ml was found in the post-mortem serum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Steyn
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Hundt
mesh_terms: D002193:Cantharidin / Q000097:blood*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D012996:Solutions
chemical_list: D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D012996:Solutions; D002193:Cantharidin