Quantitative analysis of multiple illicit drugs in preserved oral fluid by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

We present a validated method for the simultaneous analysis of basic drugs which comprises a sample clean-up step, using mixed-mode solid-phase extraction (SPE), followed by LC–MS/MS analysis. Deuterated analogues for all of the analytes of interest were used for quantitation. The applied HPLC gradient ensured the elution of all the drugs examined within 14 min and produced chromatographic peaks of acceptable symmetry. Selectivity of the method was achieved by a combination of retention time, and two precursor-product ion transitions for the non-deuterated analogues. Oral fluid was collected with the Intercept^®, a FDA approved sampling device that is used on a large scale in the US for workplace drug testing. However, this collection system contains some ingredients (stabilizers and preservatives) that can cause substantial interferences, e.g. ion suppression or enhancement during LC–MS/MS analysis, in the absence of suitable sample pre-treatment. The use of the SPE was demonstrated to be highly effective and led to significant decreases in the interferences. Extraction was found to be both reproducible and efficient with recoveries >76% for all of the analytes. Furthermore, the processed samples were demonstrated to be stable for 48 h, except for cocaine and benzoylecgonine, where a slight negative trend was observed, but did not compromise the quantitation. In all cases the method was linear over the range investigated (2–200 μg/L) with an excellent intra-assay and inter-assay precision (coefficients of variation <10% in most cases) for QC samples spiked at a concentration of 4, 12 and 100 μg/L. Limits of quantitation were estimated to be at 2 μg/L with limits of detection ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 μg/L, which meets the requirements of SAMHSA for oral fluid testing in the workplace. The method was subsequently applied to the analysis of Intercept^® samples collected at the roadside by the police, and to determine MDMA and MDA levels in oral fluid samples from a controlled study.     

Analysis of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in oral fluid samples using solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

An analytical method using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has been developed and validated for the confirmation of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in oral fluid samples. Oral fluid was extracted using Bond Elut LRC-Certify solid-phase extraction columns (10 cm(3), 300 mg) and elution performed with n-hexane/ethyl acetate. Quantitation made use of the selected ion-recording mode (SIR) using the most abundant characteristic ion [THC+H(+)], m/z 315.31 and the fragment ion, m/z 193.13 for confirmation, and m/z 318.00 for the protonated internal standard, [d(3)-THC+H(+)]. The method proved to be precise for THC, in terms of both intra-day and inter-day analyses, with coefficients of variation less than 10%, and the calculated extraction efficiencies for THC ranged from 76 to 83%. Calibration standards spiked with THC between 2 and 100 ng/mL showed a linear relationship (r(2)=0.999). The method presented was applied to the oral fluid samples taken from the volunteers during the largest music event in Portugal, named Rock in Rio-Lisboa. Oral fluid was collected from 40 persons by expectoration and with Salivette. In 55% of the samples obtained by expectorating, THC was detected with concentration ranges from 1033 to 6552 ng/mL and in 45% of cases THC was detected at concentrations between 51 and 937 ng/mL. However, using Salivette collection, 26 of the 40 cases had an undetectable THC.     

A rapid and sensitive method for the identification of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in oral fluid by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

This paper proposes a new approach for automatic classification of counterfeit Viagra(?) and Cialis(?) tablets using image processing and statistical analysis. A high resolution VSC 5000 is used for image acquisition in a controlled environment, and the combination of a thresholding technique with morphological operators is used to segment the tablet from the background. A statistical model based on the RGB color components of original samples is built, and the detection of counterfeit tablets was performed by checking the adherence of a test sample to the obtained distribution using the Bhattacharyya distance. Our experimental results indicated that counterfeit tablets can be effective detected using the proposed approach.     

Analysis of Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol in oral fluid samples using solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

An analytical method using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) has been developed and validated for the confirmation of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in oral fluid samples. Oral fluid was extracted using Bond Elut LRC-Certify solid-phase extraction columns (10 cm³, 300 mg) and elution performed with n-hexane/ethyl acetate. Quantitation made use of the selected ion-recording mode (SIR) using the most abundant characteristic ion [THC + H⁺], m/z 315.31 and the fragment ion, m/z 193.13 for confirmation, and m/z 318.00 for the protonated internal standard, [d₃-THC + H⁺]. The method proved to be precise for THC, in terms of both intra-day and inter-day analyses, with coefficients of variation less than 10%, and the calculated extraction efficiencies for THC ranged from 76 to 83%. Calibration standards spiked with THC between 2 and 100 ng/mL showed a linear relationship (r² = 0.999). The method presented was applied to the oral fluid samples taken from the volunteers during the largest music event in Portugal, named Rock in Rio-Lisboa. Oral fluid was collected from 40 persons by expectoration and with Salivette^®. In 55% of the samples obtained by expectorating, THC was detected with concentration ranges from 1033 to 6552 ng/mL and in 45% of cases THC was detected at concentrations between 51 and 937 ng/mL. However, using Salivette^® collection, 26 of the 40 cases had an undetectable THC.     

Review: Pharmacokinetics of illicit drugs in oral fluid

This article reviews studies that have measured drug concentrations in oral fluid following controlled dosing regimens. A total of 23 studies have been identified over the last 15 years. These show that the amphetamines including designer amphetamines, cocaine, cannabis and cocaine are quickly found in oral fluid following dosing and usually have similar time-courses to that in plasma. Following common doses peak oral fluid concentrations exceed 0.1 microg/mL and often even 1 microg/mL. The drug concentration will depend on whether a dilution step occurs with buffer as part of the sampling procedure. The uses of collectors that stimulate oral fluid usually reduce the drug concentration compared to a non-stimulated manner. This reduction will not disadvantage the recipient since it will potentially reduce the detectability of drug in oral fluid compared to non-stimulated collections. Only one recent study has been reported for a benzodiazepine. This showed nanogram per milliliter concentrations for flunitrazepam. More studies are required for benzodiazepines and indeed for other drugs, particularly in multiple drug situations and where disease may affect the pharmacokinetics of drugs.     

液相色谱/质谱法检测血液中的艾司佐匹克隆

目的建立手性分离-液相色谱/质谱法,用于分离检测血液中艾司佐匹克隆。方法血液经HLB小柱固相萃取后,采用手性分离柱,用电喷雾正离子模式离子化、多反应监测模式检测艾司佐匹克隆,外标法定量。结果采用本文方法可有效分离佐匹克隆的左旋、右旋异构体,血中艾司佐匹克隆在1～100ng/mL范围内线性关系良好,相关系数为0.996 4,最低检出限为0.8ng/mL,回收率为76%～88%,日内与日间精密度均小于8%。结论本文所建方法简便、快速、分离度好,适用于血液中艾司佐匹克隆的检测。     

Review: Pharmacokinetics of illicit drugs in oral fluid

This article reviews studies that have measured drug concentrations in oral fluid following controlled dosing regimens. A total of 23 studies have been identified over the last 15 years. These show that the amphetamines including designer amphetamines, cocaine, cannabis and cocaine are quickly found in oral fluid following dosing and usually have similar time-courses to that in plasma. Following common doses peak oral fluid concentrations exceed 0.1 μg/mL and often even 1 μg/mL. The drug concentration will depend on whether a dilution step occurs with buffer as part of the sampling procedure. The uses of collectors that stimulate oral fluid usually reduce the drug concentration compared to a non-stimulated manner. This reduction will not disadvantage the recipient since it will potentially reduce the detectablity of drug in oral fluid compared to non-stimulated collections. Only one recent study has been reported for a benzodiazepine. This showed nanogram per milliliter concentrations for flunitrazepam. More studies are required for benzodiazepines and indeed for other drugs, particularly in multiple drug situations and where disease may affect the pharmacokinetics of drugs.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法检测血液中的美西律

目的建立测定血液中美西律(mexiletine)的液相色谱-串联质谱联用法(LC-MS/MS)。方法采用简便的乙腈蛋白沉淀法对血液进行预处理,应用Allure PFP Propyl液相柱分离,用电喷雾正离子模式离子化,多反应监测模式对美西律进行分析。结果美西律与内标纳洛酮分离良好,在0.02～10.00μg/mL内线性关系良好,相关系数为0.9999,回归方程为y=0.0283x-0.0151,日内与日间精密度的RSD均小于15%,最低检测限为0.01μg/mL。结论建立的LC-MS/MS方法简单、灵敏、可靠,可同时适用于美西律临床药物监测和法医毒物分析的需要。     

The recovery of illicit drugs from oral fluid sampling devices

Testing for drugs in oral fluid is a convenient procedure for determining recent drug use. A number of issues are still to be resolved and this paper investigates the effects of storage systems on drug stability and recovery using three different collection devices supplied by Cozart, Immunalysis and Microgenics (third party). Drugs were analysed using a range of immunoassay systems followed by MS confirmation and quantitation. The reproducibility of the weight of specimen collected was excellent (CV<10%) for the three collection devices tested. Of the three systems studied, only the Cozart product gave acceptable recovery of THC from drug-spiked oral fluid. A combination of Cozart, Immunalysis and Diagnostix immunoassays with the Cozart collection system gave the most sensitive and discriminating screening assays for the drugs studied, namely THC, benzodiazepines, methamphetamine and morphine. Storage at either 5 degrees C or room temperature had no significant effect on drug recoveries.     

生物检材中吗啡类生物碱的LC-MS／MS分析

目的针对滥用药物分析鉴定实践中亟待解决的问题,开展LC-MS/MS分析生物检材中吗啡类生物碱的应用研究。方法满足不同的鉴定需要,分别建立血液、尿液、唾液和头发等生物检材的样品前处理方法,确定同时分析海洛因、单乙酰吗啡、吗啡、可待因、乙酰可待因、二氢可待因酮和氢吗啡酮等吗啡类生物碱的LC-MS/MS方法。将方法应用于实际案例。结果所建立的方法对吗啡类生物碱分离良好。尿液稀释法、尿液提取法和头发中吗啡的最低检测限(LOD)分别为10ng/mL、0.01ng/mL和0.01ng/mg。结论所建立的方法简便、快速、特异性强、灵敏度高。目标物中加入二氢可待因酮和氢吗啡酮扩大了方法的实用范围。     

生物检材中苯丙胺类兴奋剂和氯胺酮的LC-MS/MS分析

目的建立生物检材中苯丙胺类兴奋剂和氯胺酮的液相色谱-串联质谱(LC-MS/MS)分析方法。方法生物检材包括血液、尿液和毛发,采用稀释法和液液提取的前处理方法,应用两个不同的液相柱,优化LC-MS/MS分析方法,并考察了血液和尿液基质的离子抑制作用。结果同时分析苯丙胺和MDA,液相1在3m in内完成,液相2可用于确认分析或复杂基质分离。尿液稀释法检材用量少,前处理简便快速。毛发中苯丙胺类兴奋剂和氯胺酮的最低检测限(LOD)为0.005~0.05ng/mg。对送检案例检材产妇头发和胎毛进行苯丙胺类兴奋剂和氯胺酮的分析。结论本方法可用于生物检材中苯丙胺类兴奋剂和氯胺酮的同时分析,血、尿等生物检材的离子抑制作用是影响本方法灵敏度的主要原因。     

超高效液相色谱-MS/MS法测定血中11种苯丙胺类物质

目的应用超高效液相色谱-质谱法对全血中11种苯丙胺类毒品进行定量测定。方法全血样品经1%(v/v)甲酸-乙腈提取,采用Ostra磷脂过滤板净化处理,使用ACQUITY UPLC BEH Phenyl(100mm×2.1mm,1.7μm)色谱柱,以0.3%(v/v)甲酸溶液-乙腈为流动相进行梯度洗脱。在多反应监测模式下测定全血样本中苯丙胺、甲基苯丙胺、二亚甲基双氧苯丙胺、替苯丙胺、3,4-亚甲基二氧基乙基苯丙胺、N-甲基-1-(3,4-亚甲二氧基苯基)-2-丁胺、副甲氧基甲基苯丙胺、麻黄碱、甲基麻黄碱、卡西酮、甲卡西酮,并进行方法学考察。结果 11种苯丙胺类物质的检出限(S/N≥3)为0.01~0.4ng/m L,在0.5~50μg/L范围内线性关系良好(r0.999);回收率在75.8%~103.4%之间,相对标准偏差在1.6%~13.0%之间。结论本文建立的超高效液相色谱-质谱法快速、简便、灵敏,适用于中毒案件检验及吸毒人员排查。     

UPLC-MS/MS法检测血痕中常见烟草、毒品和药物成分

目的建立UPLC-MS/MS测定血痕中尼古丁、可替宁、甲基苯丙胺、氯胺酮、吗啡、O6-单乙酰吗啡、地西泮、三唑仑、艾司唑仑、佐匹克隆和利血平的方法。方法以甲醇为提取液,采用基质提取溶液配制标准溶液制作定量曲线。采用超高效液相色谱柱对待测样品进行分离;以电喷雾离子源正离子（ESI＋）模式和多反应监测（MRM）模式进行质谱分析。优化实验条件,并进行方法学评价。结果选择UPLC HSS T3色谱柱,乙腈-5mmol/L甲酸铵＋0.1%（v/v）甲酸作为流动相,甲醇作为提取溶剂。11种检测物检出限（S/N=3）和定量限（S/N=10）分别为0.04~2.82ng和0.13~7.64ng,1~500ng/mL范围内的线性关系良好。除利血平、吗啡外的检测物回收率为（53.8±5.3）%~（107.2±12.6）%。结论采用本文UPLC-MS/MS方法对血痕中11种常见烟草、毒品和药物成分进行检测,能够满足实际检案的要求,可在相关检验中选用。     

液相色谱-串联质谱法测定血液和尿液中秋水仙碱

目的建立检测血液和尿液中秋水仙碱的液相色谱-串联质谱法。方法0.5mL血液或尿液以丁丙诺啡为内标,经pH9.2硼酸盐缓冲溶液碱化后,用乙酸乙酯进行提取,在ZORBAX SB-C18液相柱(150mm×2.1mm×5μm)上以V(甲醇)∶V(20mmol/L乙酸铵和0.1%甲酸缓冲溶液)=80∶20为流动相,流速为0.2mL/min,采用电喷雾正离子模式离子化、多反应监测模式检测秋水仙碱,内标法定量。结果血液、尿液中秋水仙碱与内标丁丙诺啡色谱分离良好,秋水仙碱在0.1~50 ng/mL内均具有良好的线性,相关系数>0.9990,最低检出限为0.05ng/mL,方法回收率为94%~116%,日内与日间精密度(RSD)均小于8.5%。结论所建LC-MS-MS方法灵敏度高、操作简便、快速、准确,适用于血液及尿液等生物检材中痕量秋水仙碱成分的检测。     

Simultaneous determination of eight catechins and four theaflavins in bottled tea by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for forensic analysis

Tea, and particularly bottled tea, is widely consumed worldwide and is often encountered at crime scenes in poisoning cases or used in place of urine in drug abuse monitoring. Tea is a rich source of polyphenols, such as catechins and theaflavins, and these compounds are useful for identification of trace quantities of tea samples. However, information on the contents of catechins and theaflavins in bottled tea is limited. In this study, a method was developed for simultaneous analysis of eight catechins and four theaflavins in tea using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The concentrations of these polyphenols were determined in bottled black, oolong, and green teas after a simple pretreatment process by the standard addition method. The developed LC-MS/MS method was rapid and all tested polyphenol compounds were separated within ~14 min. All tea types contained all the catechins, at varying concentrations, but not all the theaflavins were present in all the tea types. This indicates that the theaflavin composition reflects the degree of the fermentation and could be used for discrimination among different types of tea. All the green tea samples contained all eight catechins; however, the concentrations of these compounds varied among the tea samples. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were useful for discrimination of samples. It has been unclear whether the variations of chemical components are useful for forensic discrimination. Our results demonstrate that, in addition to identification of tea varieties, catechins and theaflavins can be used for the discrimination of bottled tea samples.     

Screening and quantification of antipsychotic drugs in human brain tissue by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: application to postmortem diagnostics of forensic interest

A quantitative LC-MS/MS method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of 17 antipsychotic drugs in human postmortem brain tissue. Sample preparation was performed using Hybrid Solid Phase Extraction-Precipitation technology for the removal of endogenous protein and phospholipid interferences. The chromatographic separation was performed for 16 min on a C8 column, which used a gradient elution of formate ammonium and acetonitrile, and a flow rate gradient. Triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was employed to generate tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) data of the target analytes to select the ion m/z signals. Quantitation of the analytes was performed by operating in the dynamic multiple reaction monitoring (dMRM) mode using an electrospray ionization interface. Calibration curves prepared in the spiked brain tissue were linear in the range 20-8000 ng/g (r(2)>0.993) for all drugs (except olanzapine). Within- and between-day coefficients of variation were lower than 25% for all drugs at the LOQ. The LOQ in the matrix ranged between 2 ng/g and 80 ng/g. The method was successfully applied to the unequivocal identification and accurate quantification of antipsychotic drugs in human postmortem brain tissues: therefore, this method can be used in forensic investigations.     

Rapid determination of ketamine in urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for a high throughput laboratory

In recent years, the abuse of ketamine had gained popularity in rave parties in Hong Kong. The Urinalysis Unit of the Government Laboratory of Hong Kong faced a tremendous increase in workload for ketamine analysis. The number of tests performed rose from 10 in 1999 to 15,000 in 2002. As a fully validated immunoassay test for ketamine was not available in the market, most laboratories analyzed ketamine by chromatographic techniques after liquid-liquid extraction. However, these methods reported in the literature are not suitable for high throughput laboratories. Hence, a rapid screening/confirmation method for ketamine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) with a detection limit of 5 ng/ml was developed. After automated solid-phase extraction (SPE), the urine extract was analyzed for ketamine by a 2.5-min chromatographic run, the estimated recovery was 89% and the precision was 11% R.S.D. at 20 ng/ml. With the aid of an in-house developed computer program, the results were presented in spreadsheet format for easy checking. The method has been applied to our laboratory for routine ketamine analysis and a maximum of 200 samples per day can be achieved.     

LC-MS/MS-MRM筛选血液中22种有毒生物碱成分

目的建立液相色谱-串联质谱法对血液中的22种常见有毒生物碱成分进行筛选分析。方法血液以丁丙诺菲为内标经液液提取后,用液相色谱-串联质谱仪以电喷雾电离(ESI )、多反应监测(MRM)方式进行分析。结果以化合物的保留时间、两对母离子/子离子对定性,最低检出限为0.1～20ng/mL。结论该方法选择性佳、灵敏度高,适用于法医毒物分析和临床毒物分析中有毒生物碱的分析。     

固相萃取-液相色谱-质谱法检验人全血中的地塞米松

目的采用固相萃取结合液相色谱-质谱法检验人全血中地塞米松。方法采用SPE提取全血,用UPLC-MS/MS方法测定,采用ESI离子源,MRM方式监测。结果地塞米松的检出限为0.05ng/mL,线性范围1ng/mL~100ng/mL,方法回收率大于78.1%,日内、日间精密度均小于15%。结论 SPE-UPLC/MS/MS检验人全血中地塞米松的方法简单、高效,可应用于人全血中地塞米松的检验。     

体液中氟乙酰胺SPE-GC/MS检测

目的　利用GC/MS与固相萃取 (SPE)技术相结合 ,开发血和尿样中氟乙酰胺鼠药的GC/MS定量分析新方法 ,并用于实际案例检测。方法　选择乙酰胺为内标 ,通过比较不同固相柱的萃取效率和不同条件对回收率的影响 ,优化用于血和尿样中氟乙酰胺萃取的固相柱和提取条件 ,利用氟乙酰胺与乙酰胺质谱图的分子离子峰面积之比与氟乙酰胺浓度的定量关系 ,建立血和尿样中氟乙酰胺鼠药的GC/MS定量分析新方法。结果　用硅胶柱萃取 ,峰面积之比与氟乙酰胺浓度在 5 0～ 90 μg/ml范围呈线性关系 ,检测限为 1 0 μg/ml。血样中氟乙酰胺检测的平均回收率达 91 6% ,标准偏差小于 7 3 %。结论　此法对实际样品的测定证明可满足氟乙酰胺鼠药中毒的定性定量要求。