LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and their analogues in foods and dietary supplements in Korea

A number of 188 food and dietary supplement samples were collected from 2009 to the first half of 2013 in Korean online and offline stores. A method to identify phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors and their analogues using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) was validated. Limit of detection and limit of quantitation of liquid-type and solid-type negative samples ranged from 0.05 to 3.33ng/mL or ng/g and from 0.15 to 10.00ng/mL or ng/g, respectively. Recoveries ranged from 83% to 112%. Nineteen PDE-5 inhibitors and their analogues were detected, with tadalafil group compounds being the most frequently observed (53.0%), followed by the sildenafil group (42.5%). Tadalafil concentrations ranged from 0.08 to 138.69mg/g. Compounds were most frequently detected in capsules (in 40 of 80 adulterated samples). To protect public health and food safety, appropriate monitoring of PDE-5 inhibitors and their analogues in foods and dietary supplements is recommended.