Tryptolines: artifact or reality? A new method of analysis using GC/MS.

Overview

Using adsorption to C-18 reverse phase resin we have developed a simple, fast and efficient procedure for extracting tryptolines from perchloric acid homogenates of brain tissue. Furthermore, using fused silica capillary chromatography coupled to negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry of heptafluorobutyl derivatives, we have developed a sensitive and specific procedure for identifying and quantitating tryptolines in extracts of brain tissue. Of the five members of the tryptoline class which have been studied by us, we have been able to find consistent evidence for the presence of only one, tryptoline. We find tryptoline to be present in extracts of whole rat brain in concentrations of approximately 370 pg/g of tissue. The finding of low concentrations of this compound mandates additional investigation to completely rule out artifactual formation.