Simultaneous determination of psychotropic phenylalkylamine derivatives in human hair by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A gas chromatography/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of thirteen psychotropic phenylalkylamine derivatives (amphetamine; AP, phentermine; PT, methamphamine; MA, cathinone; Khat, methcathinone; MCAT, fenfluramine; FFA, desmethylselegiline; DSEL, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; MDA, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; MDMA, 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine; MDEA, norketamine; NKT, mescaline; MES, 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine; 2CB) in human hair. Hair samples (20 mg) were washed with distilled water and acetone, cut into small fragments (<1 mm), and incubated in 0.25 M methanolic HCl under ultrasonication at 50 degrees C for 1 h. The resulting solutions were evaporated to dryness, derivatized using trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) at 70 degrees C for 30 min, and analyzed by GC/MS. The linear ranges were 0.02-25.0 ng/mg for AP, PT, Khat, FFA, DSEL, MDMA, and 2CB; 0.05-25.0 ng/mg for MA, MCAT, and MES; 0.05-12.5 ng/mg for MDA; and 0.1-25.0 ng/mg for MDEA and NKT, with good correlation coefficients (r(2) > 0.9985). The intra-day, inter-day, and inter-person precisions were within 12.7%, 14.8%, and 16.8%, respectively. The intra-day, inter-day, and inter-person accuracies were between -10.7 and 13.4%, -12.7 and 11.6%, and -15.3 and 11.9%, respectively. The limits of quantifications (LOQs) for each compound were lower than 0.08 ng/mg. The recoveries were in the range of 76.7-95.6%. The method proved to be suitable for the simultaneous qualification and quantification of phenylalkylamine derivatives in hair specimens.     

Determination of amphetamine-type stimulants, cocaine and ketamine in human hair by liquid chromatography/linear ion trap-Orbitrap hybrid mass spectrometry

An LTQ Orbitrap XL hybrid mass spectrometry method was developed for the determination of illicit drugs and their metabolites, including amphetamine (AP), methamphetamine (MA), dimethylamphetamine (DMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), ketamine (KET), norketamine (NK), cocaine (COC) and benzoylecgonine (BE), in hair. Micropulverized extraction was employed for sample preparation using a small hair sample (2 cm piece or 0.2 mg). Recoveries of the analytes during sample preparation were estimated using fortified hair samples and ranged from 35.5% for COC to 71.7% for AP. High resolution full-scan mass spectra and unit resolution product-ion spectra were obtained with the Orbitrap analyzer and the linear ion-trap analyzer, respectively. High-resolution extracted ion chromatograms at a tolerance of 3 ppm were utilized for quantification. The analytes were identified using the product-ion spectra in combination with the accurate masses of the corresponding protonated molecules observed in the high-resolution mass spectra. Lower limits of quantification obtained from a 0.2 mg hair sample were 0.050 ng mg(-1) (MDMA, KET and BE), 0.10 ng mg(-1) (AP, MA, DMA, NK and COC) and 0.50 ng mg(-1) (MDA). Two reference materials were analyzed for verification, and segmental analysis of single strands of hair specimens from actual cases was performed.     

A high-throughput method based on microwave-assisted extraction and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for simultaneous analysis of amphetamines,ketamine, opiates,and their metabolites in hair

A total sample-preparation and analysis time of 50 min is required for the high-throughput method of hair analysis proposed in this paper. The method is applicable to analysis of drugs commonly used in Asia, and their metabolites—methamphetamine (MA), amphetamine (AMP), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), ketamine (K), norketamine (NK), dehydronorketamine (DHNK), 6-acetylmorphine (6-AM), morphine (MOR), and codeine (COD). Cut and weighed hair (10 mg) was incubated for 3 min with methanol–trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) during microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) at 700 W. The incubation solution was evaporated, the residue was reconstituted in deionized water–methanol, 99:1 (v/v), and 20 μL was injected on to a core-shell column (50?×?4.6 mm, 2.6 μm particle size) for liquid chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometric (LC–MS–MS) analysis. Gradient elution separation was performed in 8 min at a flow rate of 1 mL min^?1. No signal interfering with any of the analytes was found in fourteen blank hair samples from different sources. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.5 pg mg^?1 and 2.0 pg mg^?1, respectively, for MA, AMP, MDMA, MDA, K, NK, and DHNK, and 2.0 pg mg^?1 and 5.0 pg mg^?1, respectively, for 6-AM, MOR and COD. The linear range was between the LOQ and 1000 pg mg^?1, and the correlation coefficients were all greater than 0.999. Investigation of matrix effects revealed that all the analytes were suppressed by less than 20 % and the standard deviation (SD) was always less than 7 %. Recovery was always greater than 90 % and the SD for each compound was less than 6 %. Precision and accuracy for each analyte were within 15 %. Eight authentic hair specimens from known drug abusers were successfully analyzed. Compared with traditional overnight incubation methods, the rapid 3-min extraction time achieved similar or greater extraction yields. Sample preparation by MAE was a reliable procedure for extraction of the analytes from hair but substantially simpler and faster than other methods.

高效液相色谱-串联质谱法分析毛发中甲基苯丙胺和苯丙胺手性对映异构体

建立了高效液相色谱-串联质谱（HPLC-MS/MS）分析毛发中甲基苯丙胺与苯丙胺对映异构体的手性分离方法。采用SUPELCO Astec CHIROBIOTIC^® V2手性液相色谱柱,以甲醇-含0.1%（v/v）甲酸的20 mmol/L乙酸铵水溶液（99：1,v/v）为流动相进行手性分离。结果表明,甲醇高温水浴超声法能较好地提取苯丙胺类化合物,且峰形较好（拖尾因子>0.95）。S-（+）-甲基苯丙胺、R-（-）-甲基苯丙胺、S-（+）-苯丙胺和R-（-）-苯丙胺在15~300 ng/mg范围内线性关系良好,相关系数均大于0.99;甲基苯丙胺和苯丙胺的检出限分别为0.1 ng/mg和0.15 ng/mg,定量限分别为0.4 ng/mg和0.5 ng/mg;日内精密度均≤6.8%,日间精密度均≤11.4%。采用所建方法对50余嫌疑人毛发进行手性分析,检出单一S-（+）-甲基苯丙胺和S-（+）-苯丙胺的占70%,同时检出S-（+）-甲基苯丙胺、R-（-）-甲基苯丙胺、S-（+）-苯丙胺和R-（-）-苯丙胺的占18%。该法简单快速,精密度好,可为实际法医毒物鉴定案例中的毛发手性分析提供技术支持与科学依据。     

Quantification of MDMA and MDA in abusers' hair samples by semi-micro column HPLC with fluorescence detection

A sensitive semi-micro column high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection method was developed for the determination of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), methamphetamine (MP) and amphetamine (AP) in human hair. 4-(4,5-Diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)benzoyl chloride (DIB-Cl) and 1-methyl-3-phenylpropylamine were used as labeling reagent and internal standard, respectively. These drugs were extracted from hair into 5% trifluoroacetic acid in methanol, and fluorescent labeled with DIB-Cl. The separation of DIB-derivatives was achieved on a reversed-phase semi-micro ODS column with an acetonitrile-methanol-water (30:40:30, v/v/v%) mixture as a mobile phase. The limits of detection at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 for MDMA, MDA, MP and AP were 0.25, 0.15, 0.25 and 0.19 ng/mg, respectively. Precision of intra- and inter-day assay as the relative standard deviation were in the range 1.5-6.8% (n = 5) and 2.7-4.7% (n = 5), respectively. The proposed method was highly sensitive and able to detect MDMA and its related compounds in small amounts of hair sample, and could be applied to quantification of six abusers' hair samples.     

Analysis of ketamine and norketamine in hair samples using molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

An anti-ketamine molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized and used as the sorbent in a solid-phase extraction protocol to isolate ketamine and norketamine from human hair extracts prior to LC-MS/MS analysis. Under optimised conditions, the MIP was capable of selectively rebinding ketamine, a licensed anaesthetic that is widely misused as a recreational drug, with an apparent binding capacity of 0.13 μg ketamine per mg polymer. The limit of detection (LOD) and lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) for both ketamine and norketamine were 0.1 ng/mg hair and 0.2 ng/mg hair, respectively, when 10 mg hair were analysed. The method was linear from 0.1 to 10 ng/mg hair, with correlation coefficients (R ²) of better than 0.99 for both ketamine and norketamine. Recoveries from hair samples spiked with ketamine and norketamine at a concentration of 50 ng/mg were 86% and 88%, respectively. The method showed good intra- and interday precisions (<5%) for both analytes. Minimal matrix effects were observed during the LC-MS/MS analysis of ketamine (ion suppression −6.8%) and norketamine (ion enhancement +0.2%). Results for forensic case samples demonstrated that the method successfully detected ketamine and norketamine concentrations in hair samples with analyte concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 5.7 ng/mg and from 0.1 to 1.2 ng/mg, respectively.     

A sensitive semi-micro column HPLC method with peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence detection and column switching for determination of MDMA-related compounds in hair

A sensitive semi-micro column HPLC method with peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence (POCL) detection and column switching has been developed for simultaneous determination of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and related compounds, for example 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, methamphetamine, and amphetamine, in hair. After digestion of the hair with 1 mol L⁻¹ sodium hydroxide the compounds were extracted with n-heptane and derivatized with 4-(N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl)-7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole. A mixture of hydrogen peroxide and bis(2,4,5-trichloro-6-carbopentoxyphenyl)oxalate in acetonitrile was used as post-column CL reagent. Calibration plots showed linearity was good (r = 0.999); detection limits were 0.02–0.16 ng mg⁻¹ hair at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The precision of the method, as RSD (n = 5), in intra-day and inter-day assays was better than 5.0 and 6.9%, respectively. The proposed method was sufficiently sensitive to detect low ng mg⁻¹ levels of MDMA and related compounds in hair, and could be used for quantification of the compounds in hair samples from patients treated in a chemical dependency unit.     

Determination of ketamine and amphetamines in hair by LC/MS/MS

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the determination of ketamine (with its metabolite norketamine) and some amphetamines (amphetamine, methamphetamine, methylenedioxyamphetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). This method was developed to determine these compounds in hair and is able to simultaneously quantify all of them in human hair. Hair samples (20 mg) were washed and pulverized, and an extraction with formic acid (0.01%) and ultrasonication for 4 h was used. Deuterated analogs of the analytes were used as internal standards for quantification. Linearity from 0.5 to 25 ng/mg was obtained for both ketamine (and norketamine) and amphetamines with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.99. The limit of detection and the limit of quantification obtained were 0.1 and 0.5 ng/mg, respectively, for ketamine and amphetamines. A total of 25 hair samples from known drug abusers (relating to designer drug consumption or consumption of amphetamines) were examined by this validated method. The results show that the proposed method is suitable for testing these drugs in a single sample of hair. In addition, it is simpler and faster than analysis by conventional methods such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, which usually require a more laborious extraction procedure and, in most of cases, an additional derivatization process.     

MAE–GC Determination of Methamphetamine, 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine in Human Urine

Methamphetamine (MA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) were extracted from human urine by using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) followed by gas chromatography analysis with flame ionization detection. In order to improve the extraction efficiency, experimental parameters on the extraction, including extraction solvent and its volume, pH value of sample, extraction time and temperature were investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the average recoveries of MA, MDA and MDMA were 92.25, 85.94 and 91.50%, respectively. And the intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations were not greater than 6.9%. The results indicate that the developed method is rapid, accurate and sensitive, and can be used for the simultaneous determination of MA, MDA and MDMA in urine for forensic application.     

Determination of amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in urine by online solid-phase extraction and ion-pairing liquid chromatography with detection by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A method using an online solid-phase extraction (SPE) and ion-pairing liquid chromatography with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ES-MS/MS) was developed for determination of amphetamine (Amp), methamphetamine (mAmp), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA), and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in urine samples. A SPE cartridge column with both hydrophilic and lipophilic functions was utilized for online extraction. A reversed-phase C18 LC column was employed for LC separation and MS/MS was used for detection. Trifluoroacetic acid was added to the mobile phase as an ion-pairing reagent. This method was fully automated and the extraction and analysis procedures were controlled by a six-port switch valve. Recoveries ranging from 85-101% were measured. Good linear ranges (10-500 ng/mL) for Amp and mAmp were determined. For MDA, MDMA and MDEA, dual linear ranges were obtained from 5-100 and 100-500 ng/mL, respectively. The detection limit of each analytical compound, based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, ranged from 1-3 ng/mL. The applicability of this newly developed method was examined by analyzing several urine samples from drug users. Good agreement was obtained between the results from this method and a literature GC/MS method.     

Development of a disposable amperometric immunosensor for the detection of ecstasy and its analogues using screen-printed electrodes

An amperometric immunosensor for the specific and simple detection of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and its analogues, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA) in saliva and urine was developed. A direct competitive assay in which free analyte and horseradish peroxidase labelled species were simultaneously added to an immobilised polyclonal antibody was employed. Both MDA and MDMA could be labelled with the enzyme and the use of an MDMA-HRP tracer greatly enhanced the sensitivity of the assay. Amperometric detection was performed at +100 mV versus Ag/AgCl, using tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)/H₂O₂ as substrate. The antibody, raised specifically against the methylenedioxy moiety of an MDA-BSA immunogen allowed highly specific detection of these analogues with negligible cross-reactivity towards any other amphetamine related compounds. Total assay time was 45 min and the standard curve using MDA could be evaluated within the range 0.61-400 ng ml⁻¹ with corresponding limit of detection (LOD) of 0.36 and 0.042 ng ml⁻¹ for saliva and urine, respectively. The cross-reactivity pattern of the analytes was determined and showed the order of sensitivity increased with increased alkyl chain length (MDA < MDMA < MDEA). The overall performance of the sensor, working range, precision and sensitivity demonstrate its usefulness for rapid and direct measurement of methylenedioxy analogues of ecstasy in saliva and urine. The sensor has better specificity than any previous method for ecstasy, with greater sensitivity than ELISA methods, is less expensive/assay with an “easier to use” format than previous methods. The detection works in saliva or urine, eliminating requirement of blood sampling, with improved precision.     

Hair analysis for illicit drugs by using capillary zone electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-ion trap mass spectrometry

In forensic toxicology, hair analysis has become a well established analytical strategy to investigate retrospectively drug abuse histories. In this field, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry are currently used, often after preliminary screening with immunoassays. However, on the basis of previous applications to pharmaceutical analysis, capillary zone electrophoresis coupled to ion trap mass spectrometry looks also highly promising. The purpose of the present work was the development of a simple and rapid CZE-MS method for sensitive and quantitative determination of the main drugs of abuse and their metabolites (namely, 6-monoacetylmorphine, morphine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethampthetamine (MDMA), benzoylecgonine, ephedrine and cocaine) in human hair. Hair samples (100 mg) were washed, cut and incubated overnight in 0.1 M HCl at 45 degrees C, then neutralized with NaOH and extracted by a liquid-liquid extraction method. CZE separations were carried out in a 100 cm x 75 microm (I.D.) uncoated fused silica capillary. The separation buffer was composed of 25 mM ammonium formate, pH 9.5; the separation voltage was 15 kV. Electrokinetic injections were performed at 7 kV for 30 s under field amplified sample stacking conditions. ESI-ion trap MS detection was performed in the ESI positive ionization mode using the following conditions: capillary voltage 4 kV, nebulizer gas (nitrogen) pressure 3psi, source temperature 150 degrees C and drying gas (nitrogen) flow rate 8l/min. A sheath liquid, composed of isopropanol-water (50:50, v/v) with 0.5% formic acid, was delivered at a flow rate of 4 microl/min. The ion trap MS operated in a selected ion monitoring mode (SIM) of positive molecular ions for each drug/metabolite. Collision induced fragmentation was also possible. Nalorphine was used as internal standard. Under the described conditions, the separation of all compounds, except amphetamine/methamphetamine, MDA/MDMA and morphine/6-MAM was achieved in 20 min, with limits of detection lower than the most severe cut-offs adopted in hair analysis (i.e. 0.1 ng/mg). Linearity was assessed within drug concentration ranges from 0.025 to 5 ng of each analyte/mg of hair. Analytical precision was fairly acceptable with RSD's < or = 3.06% for migration times and < or = 22.47% for areas in real samples, in both intra-day and day-to-day experiments. On these grounds, the described method can be proposed for rapid, selective and accurate toxicological hair analysis for both clinical and forensic purposes.     

GC-FID optimization and validation for determination of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine and methamphetamine in ecstasy tablets

A methodology for the determination of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and methamphetamine (MA) in seized tablets using gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) is described. The chromatographic conditions, i.e. gas flow rates and temperatures for the column, injector and detector were optimized. The optimum chromatographic conditions were as follows: a CP-SIL 24 CB WCOT fused silica capillary column (30 m × 0.32 mm I.D., 0.25 μm film thickness), N₂ carrier gas flowing at 2.6 mL/min, injector temperature at 290°C and detector temperature at 300°C. The oven temperature was ramped from 80°C at a rate of 20°C/min to final temperature of 270°C (1 min). All analytes were well separated within 7 min with an analysis time of 10.5 min. Calibration curves were linear over the concentration ranges of 3.125–200 μg/mL for MDMA and 6.25–200 μg/mL for MDA and MA (r > 0.990). The intra- and inter-day precisions for determining all analytes were 2.32–10.38% RSD and 1.15–9.77% RSD, respectively. The intra- and inter-day accuracies ranged from −19.79 to +17.51% DEV and −6.84 to +5.2% DEV, respectively. The lower limits of quantification (LLOQs) were 3.125 μg/mL for MDMA and 6.25 μg/mL for MDA and MA. All analytes were stable at room temperature during 24 h but significant loss occurred after 2-month storage at −20°C. The method was shown to be useful for determining the purity of MDMA in seized tablets.     

Poly(methacrylic acid-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) monolith in-tube solid phase microextraction coupled to high performance liquid chromatography and analysis of amphetamines in urine samples

In-tube solid-phase microextraction (SPME) based on a poly(methacrylic acid-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) monolithic capillary column was investigated for the extraction of amphetamine, methamphetamine and their methylenedioxy derivatives. The monolithic capillary column showed high extraction efficiency towards target analytes, which could be attributed to its larger loading amount of extraction phase than conventional open-tubular extraction capillaries and the convective mass transfer procedure provided by its monolithic structure. The extraction mechanism was studied, and the results indicated that the extraction process of the target analytes was involved with hydrophobic interaction and ion-exchange interaction. The polymer monolith in-tube SPME-HPLC system with UV detection was successfully applied to the determination of amphetamine, methamphetamine and their methylenedioxy derivatives in urine samples, yielding the detection limits of 1.4 - 4.0 ng/mL. Excellent method reproducibility (RSD < 2.9%) was found over a linear range of 0.05-5 microg/mL, and the time for the whole analysis was only approximately 25 min. The monolithic capillary column was reusable in coping with the complicated urine samples.     

HPLC with fluorescence detection of methamphetamine and amphetamine in segmentally analyzed human hair

A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection for determining methamphetamine and its major metabolite, amphetamine, in abusers' hair segments was developed. Methamphetamine and amphetamine in hair samples collected from addicts were extracted into acidified methanol, derivatized with 4-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)benzoyl chloride, separated isocratically on an ODS column using TRIS-HCl buffer (0.1 mol dm-3, pH 7.0)-methanol (30 + 70 v/v) as the mobile phase and the derivatives were detected fluorimetrically at 440 nm (lambda ex 330 nm). Calibration curves obtained by using control human hair spiked with standard solutions were linear (r > or = 0.999) up to at least 676.1 ng mg-1 for amphetamine and 746.1 ng mg-1 for methamphetamine. The detection limits at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 were 51.4 and 74.6 pg mg-1 hair for amphetamine and methamphetamine, respectively. Using control hair spiked with standard solutions, the intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations (n = 5) were < or = 8.6% for both the target compounds. The method was successfully applied to the segmental analyses of methamphetamine abusers' hair samples.     

Simultaneous quantification of amphetamines, caffeine and ketamine in urine by hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-flame ionization detector

A method of hollow fiber (HF) liquid phase microextraction (LPME) combined with gas chromatography (GC)-flame ionization detection (FID) was developed for the simultaneous quantification of trace amphetamine (AP), methamphetamine (MA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), caffeine and ketamine (KT) in drug abuser urine samples. The factors affecting on the extraction of six target analytes by HF-LPME were investigated and optimized, and the subsequent analytical performance evaluation and real sample analysis were performed by the extraction of six target analytes in sample solution containing 30% NaCl (pH 12.5) for 20 min with extraction temperature of 30 °C and stirring rate of 1000 rpm. Under such optimal conditions, the limits of detection (LODs, S/N = 3) for the six target analytes were ranged from 8 μg/L (AP, KT) to 82 μg/L (MDA), with the enrichment factors (EFs) of 5-227 folds, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs, n = 7) were in the range of 6.9-14.1%. The correlation coefficients of the calibration for the six target analytes over the dynamic linear range were higher than 0.9958. The application feasibility of HF-LPME-GC-FID in illegal drug monitoring was demonstrated by analyzing drug abuser urine samples, and the recoveries of target drugs for the spiked sample ranging from 75.2% to 119.3% indicated an excellent anti-interference capability of the developed method. The proposed method is simple, effective, sensitive and low-cost, and provides a much more accurate and sensitive detection platform over the conventional analytical techniques (such as immunological assay) for drug abuse analysis.     

Development of a validated method for the simultaneous determination of amphetamine,methamphetamine and methylenedioxyamphetamines (MDA,MDMA, MDEA) in serum by GC-MS after derivatisation with perfluorooctanoyl chloride

A rapid and simple method for the simultaneous detection and quantitation of amphetamine, methamphetamine, methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA) in human serum was developed and fully validated. Serum samples were extracted with cyclohexane, derivatised with perfluorooctanoyl chloride without prior evaporation of the solvent and analysed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in the selected ion monitoring mode (SIM). For quantitation, deuterated analogues were used as the internal standards. The limit of detection (LOD) and lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ), bias and within-day and between-day precision were determined. LODs calculated as the average of the six calibration curves were below 5 ng/mL for all of the measured compounds; LLOQs obtained in the same manner were below 20 ng/mL, with the exception of MDA (24.1 ng/mL). The coefficients of variation were below 7% within series, 10% or less between series and the bias was below 8% for all compounds. The calibration curves were linear between the lower limits of quantitation and 800 ng/mL. Presented in part at 12. Jahrestagung, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Rechtsmedizin, May 2003, Kiel, Germany.     

Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) determination of cocaine and its metabolites benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, and cocaethylene in hair samples

This study reports the development and validation of a method using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) for the analysis of cocaine and its metabolites benzoylecgonine (BE), ecgonine methyl ester (EME), and cocaethylene (CE) in hair samples. Decontamination was performed as follows: Firstly, the aliquot of hair was briefly rinsed with 2 mL dichloromethane, then was washed three times with 10 mL 0.01 M phosphate buffer, pH 6, for 15 min, followed by 2 mL 2-propanol for less than 2 min, and, finally, a last rinse with 2 mL dichloromethane was again done. Cocaine compounds were extracted from 10 mg of hair by incubation with 2 mL 0.1 M HCl at 50 °C for 12 h and purified by solid phase extraction with Oasis MCX cartridges. Analysis was performed by LC-MS/MS using an Atlantis HILIC silica chromatographic column. The method was fully validated. Linearity was established over the concentration range 0.020–10.0 ng/mg for cocaine (COC), 0.010–10.0 ng/mg for BE and CE, and 0.005–2.0 ng/mg for EME, and the correlation coefficients were all >0.99. Extraction efficiency was >70% for all analytes. Limits of detection were 0.0005 ng/mg for CE and 0.001 ng/mg for the other analytes (COC, BE, and EME). Lower limits of quantification were the lowest points of the calibration curves with acceptable accuracy and precision (coefficient of variation ≤20%). Intra- and inter-day imprecision ranged between 1.5% and 9.5% and 0.7% and 12.6%, respectively. Intra- and inter-day inaccuracy ranged from 0.5% to 12.3% and from 0.7% to 7.1%, respectively. With regard to matrix effects, suppression was <27.5% in all cases. The method was applied to the analysis of several samples derived from forensic cases.     

Determination of amphetamines in human urine by liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection using a solid-phase extraction procedure

A precise and feasible HPLC method has been developed for the analysis of amphetamine (AMPH), methamphetamine (MAMPH) and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) in human urine. A chromatographic run on a C8 Genesis (150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) column maintained at 30 degrees C lasts about 17 min, using a mobile phase composed of ACN (12%) and a pH 2.5 phosphate buffer (88%) containing 0.3% triethylamine. Mirtazapine was used as the internal standard. Good linearity was found in the 100-2000 ng/mL concentration range for AMPH and MAMPH and in the 12-2000 ng/mL concentration range for MDMA. The pretreatment of urine samples was carried out by means of a careful SPE procedure on C2 cartridges. The extraction yields were very satisfactory for all analytes, with average values greater than 97%. The leading conditions allowed the determination of AMPH, MAMPH and MDMA with satisfactory precision and accuracy. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of the analytes in urine of AMPH users.