Amino acid analysis and/or organic acid analysis using GCMS method post derivatisation with MOX reagent and MTBSTFA reagent is routinely used by several labs. However, I was not able to find a procedure to determine the efficiency, stability and completeness of the derivatisation? Adding Internal standard will account for technical variability including sample recovery but I am not convinced it can be used to account for the derivatisation efficiency.
I have seen researchers using compounds (Stigmasterol for sterol analysis) that are detected without derivatisation and post derivatisation simultaneously. Thus,taking the ratio of derivatised to not derivatised provides the estimation of efficiency, stability. Can anyone suggest any approach or compounds having chemical similarity to TCA metabolites that can be used for the similar purpose?