Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric confirmation of identity of coprostanol in Mercenaria mercenaria (Bivalvia) taken from sewage-polluted water

Coprostanol is a major fecal sterol in humans and may, therefore, be a good indicator of sewage-polluted waters. Some types of edible seafood, such as clams, that live in these waters may be contaminated with coprostanol. Coprostanol from clam tissue extracts had been previously quantitated by gas chromatography (GC). In the present work, capillary column GC was used to separate coprostanol, and electron ionization mass spectrometry was used to confirm its identity. Confirmation of identity of coprostanol at the 75 ng level was obtained by comparing the spectrum of the authentic standard with spectra of the clam tissue extract obtained under the same instrumental conditions. Various other compounds can be eliminated as potential interferences by virtue of either their different GC retention times or their spectra.