Solid-phase microextraction of methadone in urine samples by electrochemically co-deposited sol-gel/Cu nanocomposite fiber

Analytical Approaches for the Determination of Buprenorphine, Methadone and Their Metabolites in Biological Matrices

The abuse of buprenorphine and methadone has grown into a rising worldwide issue. After their consumption, buprenorphine, methadone and their metabolites can be found in the human organism. Due to the difficulty in the assessment of these compounds by routine drug screening, the importance of developing highly sensitive analytical approaches is undeniable. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry is the preferable technique for the determination of buprenorphine, methadone and their metabolites in biological matrices including urine, plasma, nails or oral fluids. This research aims to review a critical discussion of the latest trends for the monitoring of buprenorphine, methadone and their metabolites in various biological specimens.

Progress in pretreatment of methadone: an update since 2015

Methadone, a µ-opioid receptor agonist, is widely used in pain-relieving and treating opioid dependence. If not strictly controlled, as an opioid substitute, it can lead to abuse and cause more severe withdrawal responses than heroin. Also, overdose or abuse of this drug in clinical use may provide severe side effects such as apnea, circulatory collapse, cardiac arrest, and even death. For these reasons, simple, rapid, and efficient methods have been developed for the pretreatment of methadone. This review presents a comprehensive conclusion of the pretreatment methods used for methadone in various sample matrices, focusing on the developments since 2015. Traditionally used pretreatment methods like solid-phase extraction and liquid-liquid extraction are discussed and newly developed methods like solid-phase microextraction and liquid-liquid microextraction along with new materials applied are focused.

Review of LC techniques for determination of methadone and its metabolite in the biological samples

Methadone (MTD) is a synthetic analgesic drug used for treating opioid dependence and effectively used clinically for patients with severe pain. The abuse of MTD may lead to poisoning, disorder in the central nervous system and even death. The regular monitoring of MTD in biological matrices including serum, plasma and urine samples is an effective way to control abuse of MTD. In this manner, the selection of analytical monitoring of MTD in biological matrices is of paramount importance. This study was conducted to review high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques carried out on MTD and its main metabolite 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP) in the biological samples during 2015-June 2021.

Application of Microextraction-Based Techniques for Screening-Controlled Drugs in Forensic Context-A Review

The analysis of controlled drugs in forensic matrices, i.e., urine, blood, plasma, saliva, and hair, is one of the current hot topics in the clinical and toxicological context. The use of microextraction-based approaches has gained considerable notoriety, mainly due to the great simplicity, cost-benefit, and environmental sustainability. For this reason, the application of these innovative techniques has become more relevant than ever in programs for monitoring priority substances such as the main illicit drugs, e.g., opioids, stimulants, cannabinoids, hallucinogens, dissociative drugs, and related compounds. The present contribution aims to make a comprehensive review on the state-of-the art advantages and future trends on the application of microextraction-based techniques for screening-controlled drugs in the forensic context.

Recent applications of microextraction sample preparation techniques in biological samples analysis

Analysis of biological samples is affected by interfering substances with chemical properties similar to those of the target analytes, such as drugs. Biological samples such as whole blood, plasma, serum, urine and saliva must be properly processed for separation, purification, enrichment and chemical modification to meet the requirements of the analytical instruments. This causes the sample preparation stage to be of undeniable importance in the analysis of such samples through methods such as microextraction techniques. The scope of this review will cover a comprehensive summary of available literature data on microextraction techniques playing a key role for analytical purposes, methods of their implementation in common biological samples, and finally, the most recent examples of application of microextraction techniques in preconcentration of analytes from urine, blood and saliva samples. The objectives and merits of each microextration technique are carefully described in detail with respect to the nature of the biological samples. This review presents the most recent and innovative work published on microextraction application in common biological samples, mostly focused on original studies reported from 2017 to date. The main sections of this review comprise an introduction to the microextraction techniques supported by recent application studies involving quantitative and qualitative results and summaries of the most significant, recently published applications of microextracion methods in biological samples. This article considers recent applications of several microextraction techniques in the field of sample preparation for biological samples including urine, blood and saliva, with consideration for extraction techniques, sample preparation and instrumental detection systems.

Solid-phase microextraction of methadone by using a chitosan nanocomposite incorporated with Polyoxomolibdate nanocluster/Graphene oxide

In the present study, we report on the simple sol-gel preparation of a nanocomposite composed of chitosan/ polyoxometalate /graphene oxide, and its application in the headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with the ion mobility spectrometry for the analysis of methadone in biological matrices. The developed nanocomposite was characterized through the infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analyses. The ternary nanocomposite coating offers good mechanical and thermal stability and high extraction efficiency thanks to its large specific surface. A central composite statistical design was used to study the main variables affecting the extraction efficiency. Afterward, to study the relationship between different input and output variables as well as to identify the optimal operating conditions, response surface methodology was used, whereby a second-order polynomial equation was fit to the experimental data. The optimized extraction conditions were as follows: temperature, 70°C; extraction time, 15 min; and concentration of NaCl, 5%w/v. The detection limit of 0.12 ng/mL was obtained at the optimized extraction conditions, and the calibration plot was linear in the concentration range of 0.30-200 ng/mL. With relatively low limit of detection and good precisions, the proposed method has the potential for the extraction and determination of methadone in biological samples.

Electroless deposition of silver nanofractals on copper wire by galvanic displacement as a simple technique for preparation of porous solid-phase microextraction fibers

A novel and porous solid-phase microextraction fiber was prepared by quick and simple galvanic displacement reaction and applied to the determination of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sunflower oil. The parameters affecting the porosity and thickness of the fiber, and parameters affecting the extraction efficiency, including the extraction time, temperature, and ionic strength, were investigated and optimized. The morphology of prepared fiber was characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy and thermal and chemical stabilities of the fiber were studied. Under the optimum conditions, the limits of detection ranged between 0.1 ng/mL for pyrene to 1.2 ng/mL for anthracene, and LOQ ranged between 0.3 ng/mL for pyrene to 3.6 ng/mL for anthracene. The relative standard deviations, including repeatability (within fibers) and reproducibility (between fibers), varied between 3.2-8.9 and 5.6-9.8%, respectively.