Abstract
In this study, the direct analysis of doping agents in urine samples with no sample preparation by a modified paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) methodology has been demonstrated for the first time. We have described a paper surface treatment with trichloromethylsilane using a gas-phase reaction to increase the ionization of target compounds. This approach was applied for the analysis of two classes of banned substances in urine samples: anabolic agents (trenbolone and clenbuterol) and diuretics (furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide). Under optimized conditions, the developed methods presented satisfactory repeatability, and an analysis of variance showed linearity without lack-of-fit. Highly sensitive detections as low as sub-nanogram per milliliter levels, which is below the minimum required performance levels proposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, have been reached using the hydrophobic PS-MS analysis without any preconcentration and cleanup step.