The
employment of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) across
several fields in chemistry and biology has required the creation
of a high number of quantitative assays. Nonetheless, the determination
of trace EDTA, especially in biologics and vaccines, remains challenging.
Herein, we introduce an automated high-throughput approach based on
EDTA esterification in 96-well plates using boron trifluoride-methanol
combined with rapid analysis by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–triple
quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS). Derivatization
of EDTA to its methyl ester (Me-EDTA) serves to significantly improve
chromatographic performance (retention, peak shape, and selectivity),
while also delivering a tremendous enhancement of sensitivity in the
positive ion mode electrospray ionization (ESI+). This procedure,
in contrast to previous EDTA methods based on complexation with metal
ions, is not affected by high concentration of other metals, buffers,
and related salts abundantly present in biopharmaceutical processes
(e.g., iron, copper, citrate, etc.). Validation of this assay for
the determination of ng·mL–1 level EDTA in
monoclonal antibody and vaccine products demonstrated excellent performance
(repeatability, precision, and linear range) with high recovery from
small sample volumes while also providing an advantageous automation-friendly
workflow for high-throughput analysis.