Screening of benzodiazepines in urine by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection

: A sensitive and selective method for screening of benzodiazepines and their metabolites in urine using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometric detection is presented. Analytes were separated on C18 column using gradient elution. Ionisation of analytes was performed by positive electrospray operated in Selected Reaction Monitoring mode. Optimization of the chromatographic method, acid hydrolysis and liquid - liquid extraction was also described. The limit of detection for most of analytes was 1 ng/mL. The chromatograms of real samples, which are also presented, demonstrate the selectivity, universality and simplicity of the developed method.