Qualitative and quantitative analysis of THC, 11-hydroxy-THC and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC in whole blood by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Fiber Laser-Generated Silver-109 Nanoparticles for Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry of Illicit Drugs

Cannabinoids and opioids are the most prominently used drugs in the world, with fentanyl being the main cause of drug overdose-related deaths. Monitoring drug use in groups as well as in individuals is an important forensic concern. Analytical methods, such as mass spectrometry (MS), have been found most useful for the identification of drug abuse on a small and large scale. Pulsed fiber laser 2D galvoscanner laser-generated nanomaterial (PFL 2D GS LGN) was obtained from monoisotopic silver-109. Nanomaterial was used for laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of selected illicit drug standards with standard high-resolution reflectron-based time-of-flight MALDI apparatus. Δ9-THC, 11-OH-THC, 11-COOH-THC, fentanyl, codeine, 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM), heroin, tramadol, and methadone were chosen as test compounds. Illicit drugs were tested in a concentration range from 100 μg/mL to 10 pg/mL, equating to 50 μg to 50 fg per measurement spot. For all analyzed compounds, identification and quantification by silver-109-assisted laser desorption/ionization (LDI) MS was possible, with uncommon [M + 109Ag3]+ and [M - H]+ ions present for certain structures. The results of the quantitative analysis of drugs using silver-109 PFL 2D GS LGN for LDI MS are presented. Laser-generated NPs are proven to be useful for the analysis of selected drugs, with exceptionally good results for fentanyl monitoring in a broad range of concentrations.

An emerging trend in Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPSs): designer THC

Since its discovery as one of the main components of cannabis and its affinity towards the cannabinoid receptor CB1, serving as a means to exert its psychoactivity, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) has inspired medicinal chemists throughout history to create more potent derivatives. Initially, the goal was to synthesize chemical probes for investigating the molecular mechanisms behind the pharmacology of Δ9-THC and finding potential medical applications. The unintended consequence of this noble intent has been the proliferation of these compounds for recreational use. This review comprehensively covers the most exhaustive number of THC-like cannabinoids circulating on the recreational market. It provides information on the chemistry, synthesis, pharmacology, analytical assessment, and experiences related to the psychoactive effects reported by recreational users on online forums. Some of these compounds can be found in natural cannabis, albeit in trace amounts, while others are entirely artificial. Moreover, to circumvent legal issues, many manufacturers resort to semi-synthetic processes starting from legal products extracted from hemp, such as cannabidiol (CBD). Despite the aim to encompass all known THC-like molecules, new species emerge on the drug users' pipeline each month. Beyond posing a significantly high public health risk due to unpredictable and unknown side effects, scientific research consistently lags behind the rapidly evolving recreational market.

LC-MS-MS-MS3 for the determination and quantification of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol and metabolites in blood samples

Due to the high prevalence of cannabinoids in forensic toxicology analysis, it is crucial to have an efficient method that allows the use of a small sample amount and that requires a minimal sample preparation for the determination and quantification of low concentrations. A simple, highly selective and high throughput liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methodology (LC-MS-MS-MS3) was developed for the determination and quantification of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-∆9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-OH) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) in blood samples. Chromatographic analysis of THC, THC-OH and THC-COOH and their deuterated internal standards was preceded by protein precipitation (PPT) of 0.1 mL of blood samples with acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was achieved by use of an Acquity UPLC® HHS T3 (100 mm × 2.1 mm i.d., 1.8 μm) reversed-phase column, using a gradient elution of 2 mM aqueous ammonium formate, 0.1% formic acid and methanol at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min, with a run time of 10 min. For the MS-MS-MS3 analysis, a SCIEX QTRAP® 6500+ triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer was used via electrospray ionization (ESI), operated in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and linear ion trap mode (MS3). The method was validated in accordance with internationally accepted criteria and guidelines, and proved to be selective and linear between 0.5 and 100 ng/mL (r2 > 0.995). The lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) corresponded to the lowest concentrations used for the calibration curves. The coefficients of variation obtained for accuracy and precision were <15%. The mean recoveries were between 88.0% and 117.2% for the studied concentration levels (1 ng/mL, 5 ng/mL and 50 ng/mL). No significant interfering compounds, matrix effects or carryover were observed. The validated method provides a sensitive, efficient and robust procedure for the quantification of cannabinoids in blood, using LC-MS-MS-MS3 and a sample volume of 0.1 mL. This work is also a proof of concept for using LC-MS3 technique to determine drugs in biological samples.

A review on the recent advances in HPLC, UHPLC and UPLC analyses of naturally occurring cannabinoids (2010-2019)

INTRODUCTION

Organic molecules that bind to cannabinoid receptors are called cannabinoids, and they have similar pharmacological properties like the plant, Cannabis sativa L. Hyphenated liquid chromatography (LC), incorporating high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC, also known as ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography, UHPLC), usually coupled to an ultraviolet (UV), UV-photodiode array (PDA) or mass spectrometry (MS) detector, has become a popular analytical tool for the analysis of naturally occurring cannabinoids in various matrices.

OBJECTIVE

To review literature on the use of various LC-based analytical methods for the analysis of naturally occurring cannabinoids published since 2010.

METHODOLOGY

A comprehensive literature search was performed utilising several databases, like Web of Knowledge, PubMed and Google Scholar, and other relevant published materials including published books. The keywords used, in various combinations, with cannabinoids being present in all combinations, in the search were Cannabis, hemp, cannabinoids, Cannabis sativa, marijuana, analysis, HPLC, UHPLC, UPLC, quantitative, qualitative and quality control.

RESULTS

Since 2010, several LC methods for the analysis of naturally occurring cannabinoids have been reported. While simple HPLC-UV or HPLC-UV-PDA-based methods were common in cannabinoids analysis, HPLC-MS, HPLC-MS/MS, UPLC (or UHPLC)-UV-PDA, UPLC (or UHPLC)-MS and UPLC (or UHPLC)-MS/MS, were also used frequently. Applications of mathematical and computational models for optimisation of different protocols were observed, and pre-analyses included various environmentally friendly extraction protocols.

CONCLUSIONS

LC-based analysis of naturally occurring cannabinoids has dominated the cannabinoids analysis during the last 10 years, and UPLC and UHPLC methods have been shown to be superior to conventional HPLC methods.

Applications and challenges in using LC–MS/MS assays for quantitative doping analysis

LC–MS/MS is useful for qualitative and quantitative analysis of ‘doped’ biological samples from athletes. LC–MS/MS-based assays at low-mass resolution allow fast and sensitive screening and quantification of targeted analytes that are based on preselected diagnostic precursor–product ion pairs. Whereas LC coupled with high-resolution/high-accuracy MS can be used for identification and quantification, both have advantages and challenges for routine analysis. Here, we review the literature regarding various quantification methods for measuring prohibited substances in athletes as they pertain to World Anti-Doping Agency regulations.

Quantification of cannabinoids and their free and glucuronide metabolites in whole blood by disposable pipette extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Identifying recent cannabis intake is confounded by prolonged cannabinoid excretion in chronic frequent cannabis users. We previously observed detection times ≤2.1h for cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) and Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-glucuronide in whole blood after smoking, suggesting their applicability for identifying recent intake. However, whole blood collection may not occur for up to 4h during driving under the influence of drugs investigations, making a recent-use marker with a 6-8h detection window helpful for improving whole blood cannabinoid interpretation. Other minor cannabinoids cannabigerol (CBG), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and its metabolite 11-nor-9-carboxy-THCV (THCVCOOH) might also be useful. We developed and validated a sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantification of THC, its phase I and glucuronide phase II metabolites, and 5 five minor cannabinoids. Cannabinoids were extracted from 200μL whole blood via disposable pipette extraction, separated on a C18 column, and detected via electrospray ionization in negative mode with scheduled multiple reaction mass spectrometric monitoring. Linear ranges were 0.5-100μg/L for THC and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH); 0.5-50μg/L for 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), CBD, CBN, and THC-glucuronide; 1-50μg/L for CBG, THCV, and THCVCOOH; and 5-500μg/L for THCCOOH-glucuronide. Inter-day accuracy and precision at low, mid and high quality control (QC) concentrations were 95.1-113% and 2.4-8.5%, respectively (n=25). Extraction recoveries and matrix effects at low and high QC concentrations were 54.0-84.4% and -25.8-30.6%, respectively. By simultaneously monitoring multiple cannabinoids and metabolites, identification of recent cannabis administration or discrimination between licit medicinal and illicit recreational cannabis use can be improved.