Particle beam liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of triphenylmethane dyes: application to confirmation of malachite green in incurred catfish tissue.

Eight triphenylmethane dyes (malachite green, leucomalachite green, gentian violet, leucogentian violet, brilliant green, pentamethyl gentian violet, N',N'-tetramethyl gentian violet and N',N"-tetramethyl gentian violet) have been characterized by particle beam liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The electron ionization spectra obtained of these dyes by this technique exhibit similar fragmentation, with the formation of phenyl and substituted phenyl radicals, and loss of alkyl groups from the amines. It was observed that the six cationic dyes are reduced in the mass spectrometer source to form the corresponding leuco compounds. This technique was evaluated for the confirmation of malachite green and leucomalachite green in incurred catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) muscle tissue.