Determination of citrulline in human plasma, red blood cells and urine by electron impact (EI) ionization gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

A method was developed by using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in the electron impact ionization mode to quantify citrulline in plasma, red blood cells (RBC) and urine. For all three fluids, citrulline was extracted on ion exchange resins, before derivatization to its propyl-heptaflorobutyryl-ester. Assay precision (coefficient of variation, CV) was <5%, recovery% was >90% and the within- and between-day CV were <10% on 200 μL of plasma and RBC, and 400 μL of urine. The current method allows for the detection of 20 pmol of natural citrulline in aqueous standards, and small volumes (<100 μL) of biological fluids.