Optoelectronic Method for the Screening and Confirmation of Hydroxyethyl Starch in Urine Samples

Polysaccharide-based plasma volume expanders (PVEs) such as hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is on Prohibited List of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) because it can prevent dehydration and reduce haematocrit values to mask erythropoietin abuse. The aim of this study is to establish time consuming and reliable methods for doping control screening and confirmation of HES in urine samples. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with the same column: 5 mu m Zorbax SB-C18 was used for detection and confirmation without further sample preparation. The method was validated for the parameters: specificity and matrix effect, limit of detection (250 mu g/mL), identification capability, carryover, robustness. The results of the both method were found to be suitable for the detection and confirmation of hydroxyethylstarch.