Use of collision induced dissociation mass spectrometry as a rapid technique for the identification of pharmacologically active peptides in pharmacopoeial testing

The applicability of collision induced dissociation mass spectrometry (CID-MS) for the pharmacopoeial identification of pharmacologically active peptides was examined. Two different classes of related peptides were selected, i.e. four synthetic gonadotropin releasing hormone analogues (gonadorelin, goserelin, buserelin and leuprorelin) being either nona- or decapeptides, and human insulin and 2 insulin analogues (insulin lispro and insulin aspart). For all these substances the pharmacopoeial identification currently requires a combination of several partly rather laborious tests using sophisticated equipment. In contrast, CID-MS as a stand alone test can provide increased reassurance about the identity and is rapid and efficient. Moreover, the substance consumption for testing is significantly lower, which is a non-negligible factor for very expensive substances.