What if the answer you’re looking for is already here, with someone in this community?

Hi everyone!

Let’s be honest: working with nitrosamines means dealing with one of the most demanding topics in analytical chemistry today. Ultra-sensitive methods, challenging matrices, high-stakes regulatory decisions. And in the middle of all this, it’s common to wonder: “Has someone else already faced the same problem I’m dealing with in the lab right now?”

With the launch of the Analytical Hub expansion, we now have a space to do just that: exchange real experiences, share data, and collaboratively build stronger solutions to the analytical challenges we all face.

This isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about starting a practical and open conversation. So I’m sharing a few points below to get us started.

1. Matrix Complexity

Different sample types demand tailored sample prep strategies, and matrix effects are real and often underestimated.

Some key approaches include:
• Use of stable isotope-labeled internal standards;
• Optimizing LC conditions;
• Controlled sample dilution;
• Standard addition calibration.

References:
Development and validation of QuEChERS-based LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous quantification of eleven N-nitrosamines in processed fish meat, processed meat, and salted fish products

Simultaneous determination of 13 nitrosamine impurities in biological medicines using salting-out liquid-liquid extraction coupled with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Mitigating matrix effects for LC-MS/MS quantification of nitrosamine impurities in rifampin and rifapentine

2. Regulatory Compliance & Analytical Performance: do you trust the data you generate?

We don’t just work with numbers — we work with decisions. And when it comes to nitrosamines, even a small signal issue can turn into a major regulatory headache.
That’s why understanding performance characteristics is crucial — but not always straightforward.

References:
A multianalyte LC-MS/MS method for accurate quantification of Nitrosamines in Olmesartan tablets

Method development and validation for determination of N-Nitrosamines in pharmaceutical preparations by LC-MS/MS: Application to extractables and leachables studies

Performance Characteristics of Mass Spectrometry-Based Analytical Procedures for Quantitation of Nitrosamines in Pharmaceuticals: Insights from an Inter-laboratory Study

Highly sensitive and robust LC-MS/MS method for determination of up to 15 small molecule nitrosamine impurities in pharmaceutical drug substances

This post is an open invitation — not to close a topic, but to open space for real exchange.

  • If you’ve faced challenges with a specific matrix,
  • Adapted a technique to your local context,
  • Or found a paper that shifted your analytical perspective — please, share it here. Even if you’re sharing published articles, feel free to bring your points of disagreement as well.

The Hub only makes sense if we feed it with real experiences, live data, and applied knowledge.

Lucas Maciel

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@trust_level_3 @trust_level_2 @trust_level_1

Our very own community member and mass spec expert Lucas has just shared some insightful reflections on the analytical challenges surrounding nitrosamine impurities. From method development struggles to trace-level detection issues, his post also points to key publications that have shaped the conversation in this space.

:bulb: Whether you’re in the lab troubleshooting a tricky signal or navigating validation hurdles, this thread is packed with perspective and references that will resonate.

:point_right: @lucas10mauriz Thanks for sparking this critical discussion!
:books: Dive in, share your experiences, or add publications you’ve found valuable.
Let’s keep learning from each other — one chromatogram at a time.

7 Likes

Hi Community,
from what I have seen in our experiments and heard in discussions with several people the potential impact of “sonication”, often used for sample preparation, is often overlooked.

Sonication generates cavitation microbubbles, responsible for radical-mediated chemical effects of ultrasound. In collapsing microbubbles extreme temperatures and pressures (about 5000 K/ 500 bar) have been reported.
As early as 1936, Schultes and Gohr reported formation of nitrite and nitrate in water due to sonication. This can be easiliy verified by sonicating ultra pure water and testing nitrite/ nitrate with IC.
Numerous studies confirm formation of nitrite and nitrate ions in water and aqueous solutions during sonication under air atmosphere (frequencies 20-1000 kHz).
We confirmed the impact for IC measruements for trace nitrite amounts, but this might also impact nitrosamine testing (generated Nitrite could further react in sample solution with vulnerable amine).

Lit examples on sonication:

  • Supeno, P. Kruus, Sonochemical formation of nitrate and nitrite in water, Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, Vol. 7, 2000, Redirecting

  • L.-M. Kwedi-Nsah, T. Kobayashi, Sonochemical nitrogen fixation for the generation of NO2− and NO3− ions under high-powered ultrasound in aqueous medium, Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, Vol. 66, 2020, Redirecting

  • Merouani et al., On the sonochemical production of nitrite and nitrate in water: A computational study, Water Engineering Modeling and mathematics, 2021, Redirecting

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Leister, very good information. I hope people who are doing analysis of nitrosamines pay attention to this. For a normal impurity, impact of this change could be nominal but when it comes to nitrosamines, where we are looking into ppb levels, this can be a critical issue.

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