Application of 3,5-bis-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl isothiocyanate for the determination of selected biogenic amines by LC-tandem mass spectrometry and 19F NMR

- Convenient and versatile derivatizing reagent for biogenic amines (BAs) was proposed.
- 3,5-Bis-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl isothiocyanate (BPI) was introduced and developed.
- Derivatives do not require purification due to reactivity of BPI.
- The spectra analysis confirmed the purity and uniqueness of derivatives.
- BAs determination by LC-MS/MS, HPLC and 19F NMR in beverages was discussed.

3,5-Bis-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl isothiocyanate, was used as a convenient reagent for the derivatization of histamine, tyramine, tryptamine and 2-phenylethylamine, which eliminates the purification step. The obtained derivatives were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Additionally, the total amount of these amines was determined by 19F nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. The procedures were optimized and validated for linearity, limit of detection and quantification, intra- and inter-day precision and recovery resulting in good reproducibility and accuracy. The reagent was applied for determination of the above mentioned biogenic amines in beverages, and permitted an undemanding separation and determination of the derivatives. Moreover, it is a convenient reagent for analysis of the total amine content by quantitative 19F NMR.