Quantitative determination of nitroglycerin by capillary gas chromatography-electron capture detection

A rapid and sensitive capillary gas chromatographic method based on the one described by Noonan et al. [1] was used to evaluate the nitroglycerin content in serum samples of healthy volunteers, who had orally received a special preparation of the drug (Nisconitrine 6.5, Bio-Therabel). Concentrations were monitored up to 12 h after administration. In accordance with other literature data [2], no detectable amounts of the mother compound were found (limit of detection: 50 pg ml-1). Yet, significant amounts of the active metabolites, 1,2- and 1,3-dinitroglycerine could be demonstrated. Due to the low mass spectrometric response (electron impact ionization) of the different nitroglycerins, positive confirmation of the results with GC-MS was not possible. However, the concentrations reported here do agree with literature data [2], i.e. the ng ml-1 level.