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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

GC-based Detection of Aldononitrile Acetate Derivatized Glucosamine and Muramic Acid for Microbial Residue Determination in Soil
Published on: May 19, 2012
Ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulphate determination in serum by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass
Luca Morini1, Lucia Politi, Alessandra Zucchella
1Department of Legal Medicine and Public Health, University of Pavia, Via Forlanini 12-27100 Pavia, Italy.
Background:
Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulphate (EtS) are two ethanol metabolites that can be detected in serum up to 8 h after ethanol elimination. Their presence is therefore indicative of recent ethanol consumption in case of delayed sampling after an event (e.g. car crash).
Methods:
A LC-ESI-MS-MS method for the determination of EtG and EtS in serum was developed and validated. Two product ions together with the parent ions were monitored for identification. Pentadeuterated-EtG was used as internal standard.
Results:
Excellent linearity for EtG (from 0.22 to 45 micromol/l) and EtS (from 0.40 to 80 micromol/l) was observed (r(2)>or=0.9998). LOD and LLOQ were 0.04 and 0.20 micromol/l for EtG and 0.08 and 0.40 micromol/l for EtS, respectively. Accuracy (bias) and precision (relative standard deviation), studied at four different quality control levels, were always better than 7%. Matrix effects were found to be negligible. The method was applied to several samples obtained from known alcoholics and social drinkers.
Conclusions:
A sensitive and specific determination of EtG and EtS in serum samples was achieved despite a simple and fast sample preparation. To our knowledge, this is the first fully validated method for the simultaneous determination of the two alcohol metabolites in serum.
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