Rapid determination of low pg/mg amounts of N-nitrosodimethylamine in rodent body fluid and tissue samples by low resolution mass spectrometry.

A rapid, sensitive, specific, and cost-effective method for the determination of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in rodent tissue and body fluid samples is reported. The method involves isolation of the NDMA from the samples with subsequent detection and quantitation of observed NDMA against a mass labeled N-[15N]nitrosodimethyl-[15N]amine ([15N]NDMA) internal standard by capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring. Validation of the method includes linearity studies of NDMA response, calculation of the relative response factor (RRF) for NDMA vs. [15N]NDMA, and absolute recovery studies. Estimates of precision, detection limit, and minimum quantifiable limit are also reported.