Analysis of Cyanide in Blood by Headspace-Isotope-Dilution-GC-MS

Abstract

An uncomplicated, rapid, automated procedure for the analysis of low cyanide concentrations in whole blood is reported. The analysis was performed by headspace gas chromatography and mass spectrometry in the (¹H¹²C¹⁴N) and m/z 29 (¹H¹³C¹⁵N). Carryover from cyanide adsorption onto the surface of the needle was prevented by developing a new method that enabled automated flushing of the needle in between each cyanide analysis. Results were compared of ordinary calibrations and those of isotope dilutions. The total time of analysis was 18 min for a single cyanide analysis.

Keywords:

• Blood
• gas chromatography
• headspace
• mass spectrometry

Notes

∗RT=Retention Time.