Research Article

Hydropyrolysis of steroids: a preparative step for compound-specific carbon isotope ratio analysis

  1. Mark A. Sephton1,*,
  2. Will Meredith2,
  3. Cheng-Gong Sun2,
  4. Colin E. Snape2

Article first published online: 14 OCT 2005

DOI: 10.1002/rcm.2201

Issue

Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry

Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry

Volume 19, Issue 22, pages 3339–3342, 30 November 2005

Additional Information

How to Cite

Sephton, M. A., Meredith, W., Sun, C.-G. and Snape, C. E. (2005), Hydropyrolysis of steroids: a preparative step for compound-specific carbon isotope ratio analysis. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 19: 3339–3342. doi: 10.1002/rcm.2201

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Earth Science and Engineering, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London SW7 2AZ, UK

  2. 2

    School of Chemical, Environmental and Mining Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK

*Department of Earth Science and Engineering, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London SW7 2AZ, UK.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 14 OCT 2005
  2. Article first published online: 14 OCT 2005
  3. Manuscript Revised: 10 SEP 2005
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 10 SEP 2005
  5. Manuscript Received: 26 JUL 2005

Funded by

  • NERC. Grant Number: NER/T/S/2001/01153

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Abstract

Compound-specific stable carbon isotope analysis by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry is an important method for the detection of steroid abuse in athletes. However, steroids in their natural form exhibit poor chromatographic resolution, while derivatization adds carbon thereby corrupting the starting stable isotopic composition. Hydropyrolysis is a new approach, which defunctionalizes steroids but leaves their carbon skeleton intact. The process improves chromatography, allowing the faithful measurement of carbon isotope ratios and enabling a more effective apportionment for the source of steroids and their metabolites. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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