Comparison between gas chromatography-atomic emission detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the assay of propofol.

Quantitation by gas chromatography-atomic emission detection (GC-AED) is based on the intensity of the signal measured at a wavelength characteristic of an element, after atomisation by the plasma. This response depends only on the number of atoms of this element present in the molecule under investigation, and is independent of the structure of the molecule. This technique was used for the assay of propofol, and the estimation of its two metabolites, after calibration with standard solutions of pure propofol. The results were compared with those obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Propofol was quantified with higher precision and accuracy by GC-AED than by GC-MS which exhibited larger residual values. Concentration assessment for two metabolites showed a better agreement with the theoretical value by GC-AED since the response depends only on the number of carbon atoms in each molecule.