Evaluating ASAP-MS for rapid detection of sports prohibited substances: optimising workflows using SpectralWorks AnalyzerPro XD

Alisha Henderson¹, Oliver Krug², David Douce³, Ashley Sage³, Scott J Campbell⁴, Mario Thevis², Liam M Heaney¹

¹School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK., ²Center for Preventive Doping Research, Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany., ³Waters Corporation, Wilmslow, UK., ⁴SpectralWorks Limited, Runcorn, UK.

First presented: BSMS, Edinburgh UK. September 2025

Background

AIMS can provide rapid and direct analysis, which can benefit sports drug testing to become a complimentary technique in anti-doping control.^1-3 This proof-of-concept study aimed to provide a rapid screening method for medicinal products containing substances prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).⁴

Methods

Medicinal black-market products known to contain substances that are prohibited in sport were analysed using a Waters RADIAN ASAPMS.
Samples were analysed with minimal sample preparation (i.e. dilution prior to analysis in MeOH for liquid samples, crushed prior to analysis for solid samples) and analysed in
ASAP+.
Eight reference standards of WADA prohibited substances were used to develop a spectral library with Waters LiveID software and SpectralWorks AnalyzerPro XD in ASAP+. (analysis time ~ 5 mins)

Optimisation using AnalyzerPro XD

Removal of false positive to below confidence threshold set at 80% in AnalyzerPro XD.

High match score for Ostarine in AnalyzerPro XD despite complex matrix, and removal of false negative seen with LiveID.

References

S. Rankin‐Turner, J. C. Reynolds, M. A. Turner, and L. M. Heaney, “Applications of ambient ionization mass spectrometry in 2021: An annual review,” Analytical Science Advances, vol. 3, no. 3–4, 2022, doi: 10.1002/ansa.202100067.
Görgens C, Walker K, Boeser C, et al. Paper spray mass spectrometry – A potential complementary technique for the detection of polar compounds in sports drug testing. Drug Testing and Analysis. 2020;12(11-12). doi:10.1002/dta.2909
Arrizabalaga-Larrañaga A, Zoontjes PW, Lasaroms JJP, Nielen MWF, Blokland MH. Simplified screening approach of anabolic steroid esters using a compact atmospheric solid analysis probe mass spectrometric system. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. 2022;414(11). doi:10.1007/s00216-022-03967-y
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). (2024, January 10). World Anti- Doping Code International Standard Prohibited List 2024. https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/world-anti-doping-code-and-international-standards/prohibited-list

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