Trends in Analysis of Cortisol and Its Derivatives

Determination of concentration of cortisol in various biological fluids can provide extensive information about a person's health. Historically, cortisol and its derivatives were (and still are) determined using immunoaffinity-based methods such as colorimetric ELISA assay, chemiluminescent immunoassay, fluorescence assays, radioimmunoassay, electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, immunochromatographic test, or sensors and immunosensors. Recently, mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods started to be used in determination of cortisol and its derivatives. These MS methods are net superior to immunoaffinity-based assays, but are not easily applicable and are also time-consuming and price prohibitive. Furthermore the standard MS instruments used are triple quadrupole instruments. Here we review the literature on the MS and non-MS based methods for determination of cortisol and its derivatives and also explore the use of a less used quadrupole-time of flight instrument in determination of these compounds.