Determination of caffeine and caffeine-related metabolites in ephedra-containing standard reference materials using liquid chromatography with absorbance detection and tandem mass spectrometry.

The concentrations of caffeine and caffeine-related compounds in 2 ephedra-containing reference materials have been determined by 3 independent methods with measurements performed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and a collaborating laboratory. Results from the 3 methods were used for value assignment of caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline in these Standard Reference Materials (SRMs). The methods used at NIST to determine the concentration levels of caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline in SRM 3243 Ephedra-Containing Solid Oral Dosage Form and SRM 3244 Ephedra-Containing Protein Powder used reversed-phase liquid chromatography with absorbance detection and tandem mass spectrometry. These reference materials are part of the first suite in a series of NIST SRMs that provide concentration values for multiple components in dietary supplements. These SRMs are primarily intended for method validation and for use as control materials to support the analysis of dietary supplements and similar materials.