Analysis of commercially available beta-glucuronidase enzymes and optimum hydrolysis conditions in urine for licit and illicit drugs using in-well hydrolysis

Most drugs, both licit and illicit, are excreted in urine as glucuronide conjugates. Hydrolysis using beta-glucuronidase converts the glucuronidated metabolites back to their “free” or non-conjugated form, increasing sensitivity for LC-MS/MS analysis. Hydrolysis using red abalone, abalone, and recombinant beta-glucuronidase enzymes was evaluated using an in-well hydrolysis plate to determine which provided the most efficient hydrolysis of glucuronide metabolites without affecting overall recovery of non- conjugated compounds. A glucuronide control containing 8 glucuronide compounds was used to determine the extent of hydrolysis that occurred. A non-conjugated control containing 96 licit and illicit drugs of abuse was evaluated to determine if signal suppression occurred as a result of enzyme hydrolysis. 

Literature number: P164