“…In addition, GC-mass spectrometry (MS) [22,23] appeared to be more sensitive than LC/UV and GC, but required lengthy extraction and derivation procedures before chromatographic analysis. Although LC-MS has replaced other detection systems, these methods also have various drawbacks, including large sample volume (2 ml) [24], uneconomical fast gradient LC procedure [24], use of expensive solid phase extraction cartridges [25], column switching procedure requiring an additional system [25], and inadequate sensitivity (LOQ; more than 1 ng/ml) [26,27]. The analytical method described by Shiran et al has LOQ of 0.65 and 0.68 ng/ml for MDZ and 1-OHMDZ, but calibration curves for both compounds were constructed over the 6.5-208 ng/ml for application to human plasma [28].…”