Quantitative determination of taxine B in body fluids by LC–MS–MS

A new specific and sensitive LC–MS–MS method for the detection of taxine B and isotaxine B, the main toxic pseudo-alkaloids from yew (Taxus sp.), in biological samples (blood, urine, gastric content) was developed. Biological samples were prepared for LC–MS–MS by means of solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure and yielded a recovery of 86%. Chromatographic separation was achieved using an RP₁₈ column. Detection of taxine B and isotaxine B was performed using multiple reaction monitoring with m/z 584.2 as precursor ion, i.e. [M+H]⁺, of both isomers and m/z 194.3 and m/z 107.1 as product ions after collision-induced dissociation. Docetaxel was applied as internal standard. The method was fully validated for the analysis of blood samples. Linearity was proven in the range from 0.1–500 ng/g. The limit of detection and the limit of quantitation are 0.4 and 2 ng/g, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of taxine B and isotaxine B in four fatal cases (two humans, two horses) with suspected yew intoxication. Blood levels were 105, 168, 174 and 212 ng/g.