Analysis of anabolic androgenic steroids by direct analysis in real time ionization with time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Abstract We verified applicability of direct analysis in real time ionization coupled with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (DART-MS) for detection of anabolic androgenic steroids in supplements and pharmaceuticals. DART-MS was optimized for the analysis of eleven frequently misused anabolic androgenic steroids and their derivatives. Real supplement tablets and injectable oil solutions were used to verify applicability of the method. It was found that anabolic androgenic steroids can be analyzed directly without any sample pre-treatment, which reduces the sample preparation time and hence the overall analysis time. The resulting DART-MS method is suitable for rapid routine qualitative screening of anabolic androgenic steroids in simple sample matrices. It has a great potential in the field of adulterated and counterfeited anabolic steroid pharmaceuticals and supplements.