This document describes the method of using the Varian 500-MS ion trap mass spectrometer in TurboDDS™ mode to test male enhancement supplements for adulteration with clandestine PDE-5 inhibitors (ED drugs like Viagra®, Cialis® and Levitra®).
Phentolamine is an alpha-adrenergic blocker that is illegal to use in dietary supplements. Its presence makes a product misbranded and adulterated. This document details the detection of phentolamine during routine screening for PDE-5 inhibitors.
The analysis was performed using a Varian 500-MS ion trap mass spectrometer operated in TurboDDS mode, coupled with a Varian 335 Photo Diode Array (PDA) detector and Galaxie chromatography software. The system successfully identified the compound based on its [M+H] ion at m/z 282, a dominant MS/MS product peak at m/z 212, and UV absorbance maxima at 278 nm.
It is illegal to use this compound in dietary supplements, making a product containing it misbranded and adulterated.
The analysis utilized a Varian 500-MS ion trap mass spectrometer with TurboDDS mode.