Simultaneous detection of strychnine and brucine in biological matrix by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy.

ABSTRACT

A new gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) method is being presented for the separation and detection of strychnine and brucine, alkaloids of Strychnos nux vomica in a single run. The analysis was carried out using 5% phenyl methyl silicone capillary column, electron impact ionization mode and quadrupole mass analyzer. The extracts of the exhibits were analyzed using the new method. The peaks of the two alkaloids were found to be well resolved, and there was clear separation between the two. The retention time and mass fragmentation pattern, base peaks, molecular peaks of strychnine and brucine standard/NIST library and crime case exhibits matched, establishing the presence of the two active principles of Strychnos nux vomica. The new method has the advantage of better separation of the two alkaloid peaks over the conventional GC-MS methods, and is useful for the identification and confirmation of Strychnos nux vomica constituents in biological matrices of poisoning cases that have ended in death.