A gas chromatography–mass spectrometry assay to quantify camphor extracted from goat serum

A sensitive gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) method was developed and validated for quantification and pharmacokinetics of camphor, a major monoterpene of juniper plant, in goat serum. Camphor and internal standard (terpinolene) eluates from solid phase extraction (SPE) with ethyl acetate yielded well resolved peaks and were clearly identified in total and selected ion chromatograms. The elution and injection volumes were optimized for improved detection and quantification of camphor based on peak shape, signal to noise ratio, recoveries, and repeatability. The matrix calibration curve with the good linearity (R2 = 0.998) and response in the range of 0.005–10.0 μg/mL was used to determine camphor concentration in goat serum. The GC–MS method offered sufficiently low limits of detection (1 ng/mL) and quantitation (3 ng/mL) for camphor concentration in goat serum for the pharmacokinetic study. The proposed method showed good intra- and inter-day variation with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.2–7.7% and produced good recovery (96.0–111.6%) and reproducibility (1.6–6.1%) at all spiked levels. Using this method on serum samples obtained from two goats orally dosed with camphor confirmed that the method is suitable for camphor studies in animals.

► A reliable GC–MS method was developed for detection of camphor in goat blood.
► The method was sensitive and specific enough for quantification of camphor.
► The method offers a lower LOD and LOQ for camphor than conventional methods.
► The method yields a good precision and accuracy for monitoring camphor in animal.
► The validation study with two goats showed the good practicability of the method.