Some analytical service providers quantify Kratom alkaloids using HPLC-DAD. While such methods do work, they require very good chromatographic separation . This is particularly the case for Mitragynine and Paynantheinewhich, when incorrectly integrated as a single peak, can falsely indicate an elevated Mitragynine content. In addition, complex sample preparation is required, as matrix components can otherwise distort the alkaloid contents even with clean peak separation.

We use HPLC-MS/MS , combining clean chromatographic separation with mass spectrometric selectivity. This allows us, for example, to reliably distinguish between Mitragynine and Paynantheine based on their different molecular masses and to quantify them separately. To correct for dilution errors and ion suppression caused by matrix effects, we add a defined amount of isotopically labeled Mitragynine to each sample at the beginning. This also allows us to monitor revocery during sample preparation and, together with QC samples in every run, achieve reliable and reproducible results.