The GC–MS detection and characterization of reticuline as a marker of opium use |
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Authors: | A M Al-Amri R M Smith B M El-Haj M H Jumaa |
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Institution: | a Sharjah Police Forensic Science Laboratory, P.O. Box 29, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates;b Department of Chemistry, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 3TU, UK;c Dubai Police Crime Laboratory, P.O. Box 1493, Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
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Abstract: | Reticuline (a precursor of opium alkaloids) was detected and characterised as its trimethylsilyl ethers, acetyl esters and methyl ethers by GC–EIMS and GC–CIMS in opium and the urine of opium users after hydrolysis by acid or β-glucuronidase as coextractive of morphine. Because this compound cannot be detected in heroin and poppy seeds, it is suggested as a differentiating marker between opium and heroin use, opium and poppy seeds use, or opium and “pharmaceutical” codeine use in cases when opiate use has been confirmed by detection of morphine and codeine in the urine. As well as being a constituent of opium, reticuline in the urine of opium users may also result from the metabolic demethylation of the three other benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline opium alkaloids: codamine, laudanosine and laudanine. |
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Keywords: | Author Keywords: Reticuline Opium use marker GC– MS |
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