Applications of GC in bioanalysis

In order to determine an optimum dosage regimen for a drug and to determine its mode of metabolism, methods for analysis of the drug and its metabolites in blood, urine and tissues have to be developed. Analysis of drugs in biological fluids and tissues by GC is quite common although GC-MS (see Ch. 9) has replaced many GC methods which are reliant on less selective types of detector. 

An example of the use of GC with nitrogen selective detection is in the quantification of bupivacaine in plasma. Bupivacaine contains two nitrogen atoms in its structure which makes it a good candidate for this type of analysis. The limits of detection which can be achieved with a nitrogen selective detector for this compound are much better than methods based on flame ionisation detection, which are much less selective. 

Watson. Chemical derivatisation in gas chromatography. In P. Baugh, ed. Gas Chromatography A Practical Approach. IRL Press, Oxford 1995) 133-170. 

Moffat. Clarke s isolation and identification of drugs. Pharmaceutical Press (1986). 

Basic Gas Chromatography. H.M. McNair and J.M. Miller. Wiley Interscience, Chichester (1997). Capillary Gas Chromatography. D.W. Grant. Wiley Interscience, Chichester (1996). 

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