Nitrites as precursors of N-nitrosation in pharmaceutical samples – A trace level analysis

The ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method, which involves pre-column derivatization of nitrite with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene (DAN) to form 2,3-naphthotriazole (NAT), offers the advantages of easy sample preparation, simple derivatization, stable derivatives, rapid analysis, high sensitivity and specificity and lack of interferences for determining nitrite in pharmaceutical samples. Determination of NAT was performed on a an Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column using a gradient elution of 0.1% formic acid with acetonitrile at flow rate of 0.4 mL/min and temperature at 45 °C. The single-quadrupole mass detector was operated in the positive ion mode. Quadrupole mass analyser was employed in selected ion monitoring mode using a target ion at m/z = 170 as [M+H]+. The UPLC-MS method was validated as per International Council on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines in terms of linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, selectivity, accuracy, precision, intermediate precision and stability. The UPLC-MS method was demonstrated to be applicable for the determination of nitrite in various pharmaceutical samples. The proposed UPLC-MS method was used to study the effect of nitrite content in pharmaceutical products on the formation of N-nitrosamines. The high importance of nitrites in relation to the N-nitrosation reaction was discussed. As deduced from theory and justified by the presented results, reducing the nitrite concentration could definitely solve the N-nitrosamine contamination. Nitrites, unlike secondary and tertiary amines, are universal precursors to any N-nitrosamine, so this solution is easily transferable to any relevant pharmaceutical product.