Accurate Quantification of Saccharin Using Isotope Dilution Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (ID-LC/MS)

Saccharin is a commonly used artificial sweetener in foodstuffs. However, for its carcinogenic dispute, it has been regulated by government bodies. In this study, isotope dilution mass spectrometry (ID-MS) was introduced for the accurate quantification of saccharin. To employ ID-LC/MS, we obtained its isotope analogue, $^{13}C_1$-sodium saccharin, by customized synthesis. Samples were spiked with $^{13}C_1$-sodium saccharin and analyzed with LC/MS in negative mode. Chromatographic conditions were optimized for the adequate chromatographic retention and separation of saccharin with a $C_{18}$ column. MS was operated with electrospray ionization by the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode of $[M-H]^-$ for saccharin (m/z 182) and $[M-Na]^-$ for its isotope analogue (m/z 183). To validate the ID-LC/MS method for accurate measurement, we prepared a batch of a candidate material by sortifying quasi-tea-drinks with saccharin and analyzed samples gravimetrically fortified in various levels of concentration. The repeatability and reproducibility of this method was tested by analyzing the reference material. Result show that ID-LC/MS is a reliable method for the quantitative analysis of saccharin.