Identification and characterization by LC-UV-MS/MS of melanotan II skin-tanning products sold illegally on the Internet

LC-UV-MS/MS methods developed to identify and quantify melanotan II in injectable tanning products sold illegally online, verifying identity, purity, and impurity levels.

Abstract

New methods were developed and validated to determine the identity, contents, and purity of samples of melanotan II, a synthetic melanocortin receptor agonist, sold in vials as injectable skin-tanning products that were purchased from three online shops.. Methods were based on liquid chromatography with ultra-violet detection (LC-UV) at wavelength 218 nm, and tandem mass spectrometric detection.

Key Findings

Identification of melanotan II was verified by correct chromatographic retention time, and relative abundance ratios of five qualifying fragment ions. | LC-UV was used to quantify melanotan II as well as impurities. | Method validation was performed wit

Study Design

Research study