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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
A Plasma Sample Preparation for Mass Spectrometry using an Automated Workstation
Published on: April 24, 2020
High sensitivity determination of valproic acid in mouse plasma using semi-automated sample preparation and liquid
Vincenzo Pucci1, Edith Monteagudo, Fabio Bonelli
1Istituto di Ricerche di Biologia Molecolare P. Angeletti, Merck Sharp and Dohme Research Laboratories, Via Pontina km 30.600, 00040 Pomezia, Roma, Italy.
Abstract:
A high-throughput liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) assay using automated sample preparation has been developed for the determination of valproic acid (VPA) in mouse plasma. A liquid-handling system was programmed to prepare calibration standard solutions in plasma, as well as quality controls and clinical samples. Plasma protein precipitation was performed on a 96-well plate, and the collected supernatant was directly injected into a reversed-phase LC/ESI-MS/MS system in the negative ionization mode. The calibration curve for VPA was linear over a dynamic range of 0.15-100 microg/mL. The limit of detection was 75 ng/mL and the lower limit of quantitation was 150 ng/mL. Intra- and inter-day validation assays of the semi-automated plasma analysis showed satisfactory accuracy and precision.
