An integrated approach for detection and characterization of the trace impurities in levofloxacin using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

RATIONALE Impurity analysis plays an important role to guarantee the quality and safety of pharmaceuticals. However, identification of impurities remains challenging, especially for those unknown or at trace levels. We present an integrated approach to detect and characterize the trace impurities in drugs. METHODS Based on liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), an approach integrating automatic impurity screening method using multiple mass defect filters (MMDFs) and background subtraction (BS) was developed. This approach was used to acquire the structural and semi‐quantitative information in a single sample run, and even to discover the impurity signals submerged by background and drug ions. This approach was illustrated by the comprehensive impurity analysis of levofloxacin. RESULTS This approach was sensitive to detect impurities at the level of 0.02% with respect to levofloxacin concentration. Nineteen impurities were detected, fourteen of which were structurally characterized and eight impurities were reported for the first time. Impurity profiles of levofloxacin drug substances and degradation samples were obtained reliably. A plausible degradation pathway of levofloxacin was proposed including descarboxyl reaction under acid, piperazinyl ring cleavage degradation under light, and N‐oxidation under oxidative condition. CONCLUSIONS The generic approach integrating LC–MS/MS and an automatic impurity screening method was developed for the detection, characterization and monitoring of impurities, especially those unknown or at trace levels. This approach was demonstrated to be rapid, sensitive and automatic for impurity profiling of drugs. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.