Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to develop a fast and convenient method for the determination of (–)-linalool in human whole blood to facilitate pharmacokinetic studies. Analytical protocols were elaborated for three different GC/MS sampling techniques, i.e., static headspace (S-HS), headspace solid phase micro extraction (HS-SPME), and liquid-liquid partition. In principle, all tested methods were feasible, but s-HS had the greatest benefit because of the easy handling of the blood samples and its short analysis time. For s-HS two different incubation temperatures were tested (40°C and 60°C). The limit of detection was slightly lower when samples were incubated at 60°C, but the same quantitative results were achieved using α–terpineol as internal standard. An accurate and sensitive method for the quantification of (–)-linalool in blood samples after either inhalation or percutaneous application, as well as pharmacokinetic data are presented.