Analysis of impurities in streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin by hydrophilic interaction chromatography/electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Impurities in streptomycin (STR) and dihydrostreptomycin (DHS) were investigated by hydrophilic interaction chromatography/electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HILIC/ESI-QIT/TOFMS). Samples were separated on a fused-core silica column (100 mmx2.1 mm i.d., particle size: 2.7 microm) with isocratic elution using 200 mM ammonium formate buffer (pH 4.5) and acetonitrile as mobile phase. Constant neutral loss survey in accurate mass measurement was carried out by QIT/TOFMS. Formulae, chemical structures of impurities in an STR sample were suggested with supporting results on the probable pathways of STR biosynthesis by Streptomyces griseus.