Abstract: A comprehensive analytical method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed for the determination of lycopene in dietary supplements. Samples were saponified to remove lipid, followed by vortex-assisted extraction with petroleum ether containing 1 g/100 mL 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT). The resulting extract was further cleaned up on a neutral alumina solid-phase extraction cartridge. The pooled eluate was determined on LC-MS/MS by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization coupled with a multiple reaction-monitoring (MRM) mode. Lycopene was quantified by external standard method. The limit of detection (LOD) was 10 μg/kg, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 100 μg/kg. The average recovery rates of lycopene across six spike levels, 50.0, 100.0, 250.0, 500.0, 2500.0 μg/kg and 5000.0 μg/kg were 88.0%–103.1% with a relative standard deviation less than 15% (n=6). This method is sensitive and provides a new approach for the quantitative analysis and validation of lycopene in dietary supplements. 

Key words: lycopene, dietary supplements, determination, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry