Mass fragmentographic determination of tetrahydro-beta-carboline in human blood platelets and plasma.

GLC-mass fragmentography of the heptafluorobutyryl derivative was found to be a sensitive and reliable method for the determination of tetrahydro-beta-carboline (THBC, tryptoline) in human blood platelets and plasma. The concentration of THBC in platelet-rich plasma of eight healthy young adult persons was 9.4 +/- 1.6 (mean +/- SD) ng/ml. It was mainly concentrated in platelets, which usually contained over 50% of total THBC.