Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and the pharmaceutical analysis of corticosteroids

Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and its application to the analysis of some peptides and proteins

The techniques of fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry has overtaken (but not entirely replaced) field desorption mass spectrometry as the method of choice for the analysis of nonvolatile, thermally labile polar compounds. The ease with which information may be obtained on a wide variety of molecules is a result of the relative simplicity of the technique. A brief history of bioorganic mass spectrometry leading to the development of fast atom bombardment is presented, as well as a description of the method and ancillary techniques. Selected examples of its application to peptide and protein structural problems attest to the power and utility of fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry.

Characterization of digoxin and related cardiac glycosides by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry

The potential of using fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry for the detection and the characterization of digoxin and a series of related cardenolide analogues was investigated. The spectra were dependent upon the type of support-matrix in which they were recorded; thioglycerol proved to be satisfactory for the characterization of digoxin and allowed for its detection in human urine extract spiked with ca 11 ng ml(-1).

Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry in the pharmaceutical analysis of drugs

The principles, techniques and value of fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry are summarized in this revïew. Applications of the method in such areas as molecular weight determination, standard and metabolic studies, and peptide sequencing, as well as direct quantitative analysis, are surveyed, with examples from several classes of compounds with pharmacological activity.