Determination of clenbuterol in human urine and serum by solid-phase microextraction coupled to liquid chromatography

A solid-phase microextraction (SPME)–LC–UV method for the determination of the beta-adrenergic drug clenbuterol in human urine and serum samples was developed for the first time using a polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) coated fiber. The procedure required very simple sample pretreatments, isocratic elution, and provided highly selective extractions. All the aspects influencing fiber adsorption (extraction time, temperature, pH, salt addition) and desorption (desorption and injection time, desorption solvent mixture composition) of the analyte have been investigated. The linear ranges investigated in urine and serum were 10–500 and 5–500 ng/ml, respectively (that covers the typical clenbuterol concentration observed in biological fluids). Within-day and between-days R.S.D.% in urine ranged between 5.0–5.3 and 8.5–8.7, respectively, while in serum ranged between 5.5–5.9 and 8.7–9.1, respectively. Estimated LOD and LOQ were 9 and 32 ng/ml (spiked urine), respectively, and 5 and 24 ng/ml (spiked serum), respectively, well below the usual clenbuterol urinary and serum level.