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Hong G, Wang H, Lin Z, Cao L, Shen X, Yan J, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Rao Y. Ethyl sulfate in blood shows the potential to distinguish alcoholic death and postmortem alcohol instillation. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2023; 60:102175. [PMID: 36417774 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2022.102175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol is often found in the blood of the deceased. To cover up the true cause of victim's death, postmortem instillation of alcohol occurs in some criminal cases. Explaining the finding of alcohol is extremely vital in forensic practice. This study aims to evaluate whether ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) in blood and vitreous humor (VH) can be used to distinguish alcoholic death and postmortem alcohol instillation. Saline or 12.6 g/kg ethanol (antemortem alcohol poisoning group) was introduced into rabbits' stomachs 2 h before sacrificed. Same amount of ethanol was introduced into rabbits' stomachs at 0 h, 0.5 h, 1 h and 2 h after death in four subgroups of postmortem alcohol instillation group, respectively. Cardiac blood and VH were collected at 10 min, 4 h, 10 h and 24 h after death in blank and antemortem alcohol poisoning group, and after instillation of alcohol in postmortem alcohol instillation group. Blood was also collected at 34 h. Ethanol and EtG levels in blood and VH and EtS in VH in antemortem alcohol poisoning group were overlapped with those in postmortem alcohol instillation group. The contents of EtG and EtS in blood in antemortem alcohol poisoning group (mean ≥ 7.833 μg/mL for EtG and ≥ 19.990 μg/mL for EtS) were much higher than those in postmortem alcohol instillation group (mean ≤ 0.118 μg/mL for EtG and ≤ 0.091 μg/mL for EtS), but apparent decomposition was observed in EtG, which might lead to misinterpretation. Blood EtS showed better stability and could be used to distinguish alcoholic death and postmortem alcohol instillation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghui Hong
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Zijie Lin
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Li Cao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Xuebo Shen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Jie Yan
- Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, PR China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Ministry of Public Security, People's Republic of China (Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau), Beijing 100192, PR China
| | - Yunfeng Zhang
- Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100038, PR China.
| | - Yulan Rao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China.
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Taylor L, Saskőy L, Brodie T, Remeškevičius V, Moir HJ, Barker J, Fletcher J, Kaur Thatti B, Trotter G, Rooney B. Development of a Gas-Tight Syringe Headspace GC-FID Method for the Detection of Ethanol, and a Description of the Legal and Practical Framework for Its Analysis, in Samples of English and Welsh Motorists' Blood and Urine. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27154771. [PMID: 35897946 PMCID: PMC9331811 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27154771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethanol is the most commonly used recreational drug worldwide. This study describes the development and validation of a headspace gas chromatography flame ionisation detection (HS-GC-FID) method using dual columns and detectors for simultaneous separation and quantitation. The use of a dual-column, dual-detector HS-GC-FID to quantitate ethanol is a common analytical technique in forensic toxicology; however, most analytical systems utilise pressure-balance injection rather than a simplified gas-tight syringe, as per this technique. This study is the first to develop and validate a technique that meets the specifications of the United Kingdom’s requirements for road traffic toxicology testing using a Shimadzu GC-2014 gas-tight syringe. The calibration ranged from 10 to 400 mg/100 mL, with a target minimum linearity of r2 > 0.999, using tertiary butanol as the internal standard marker. The method has an expanded uncertainty at 99.73% confidence of 3.64% at 80 mg/100 mL, which is the blood alcohol limit for drink driving in England and Wales. In addition, at 200 mg%—the limit at which a custodial sentence may be imposed on the defendant—the expanded uncertainty was 1.95%. For both the 80 mg% and 200 mg% concentrations, no bias was present in the analytical method. This method displays sufficient separation for other alcohols, such as methanol, isopropanol, acetaldehyde, and acetone. The validation of this technique complies with the recommended laboratory guidelines set out by United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists (UKIAFT), the recently issued Laboratory 51 guidelines by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), and the criteria set out by the California Code of Regulations (CCR), 17 CCR § 1220.1.
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Johnson KM, Gunsolus IL, Tlomak W. Critical Analysis of Laboratory Testing Methodologies When Interpreting Conflicting Results at Autopsy. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2021; 42:51-53. [PMID: 32897894 DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Toxicological analysis is an important diagnostic component of a postmortem examination and may involve both antemortem and postmortem specimens. Here, we present a case in which an antemortem specimen, when reanalyzed in the forensic toxicology laboratory, resulted in values that contradicted the reported values from the medical record and required further investigation. This case involves a 51-year-old man decedent with a medical history of chronic alcohol abuse. His antemortem urine drug screen, performed upon admission to an emergency department, was negative. His serum blood alcohol level at presentation was reported as 0.960 g/dL and, repeated 4 hours later, was 0.500 g/dL with a comment indicating that there was significant lipemia interfering with the results. At autopsy, the antemortem blood sample collected from the hospital, postmortem blood, and vitreous humor samples were analyzed and all 3 samples were found to be negative for ethanol. The hospital laboratory used an enzymatic assay for ethanol detection, which is known to be impacted by lipemia, and the forensic laboratory used head-space gas chromatography, which is not impacted by lipemia. This highlights the need to critically analyze laboratory testing methodologies when interpreting conflicting results at autopsy.
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Mihretu LD, Gebru AG, Mekonnen KN, Asgedom AG, Desta YH. Determination of ethanol in blood using headspace gas chromatography with flameionization detector (HS-GC-FID): Validation of a method. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/23312009.2020.1760187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Libargachew Demlie Mihretu
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Mekelle University, P.O. BoX: 231, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Asfaw Gebretsadik Gebru
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Mekelle University, P.O. BoX: 231, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Kebede Nigussie Mekonnen
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Mekelle University, P.O. BoX: 231, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Abraha Gebrekidan Asgedom
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Mekelle University, P.O. BoX: 231, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Ykalo Hadush Desta
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Mekelle University, P.O. BoX: 231, Mekelle, Ethiopia
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De Giovanni N, Marchetti D. A Systematic Review of Solid-Phase Microextraction Applications in the Forensic Context. J Anal Toxicol 2020; 44:268-297. [PMID: 31788690 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkz077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the introduction in 1990, the solid-phase microextraction (SPME) technology has brought significant progress in many fields of forensic sciences due to the versatility of this fast and solventless alternative to conventional extraction techniques. A systematic review about SPME applications in forensic context from January 1995 to June 2018 was carried out according to systematic review guidelines. The majority of the reviewed articles (40/133) aimed to identify drugs (cannabinoids, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, simultaneous detection of different drugs of abuse, prescribed drugs); 29 of the 133 articles focused on the investigation of fatalities; 28 of the 133 papers used headspace SPME technique for the identification of markers of chronic alcohol abuse. Sixteen papers involved this technique for the isolation of volatile organic compounds for the human odor profile and 20 concerned forensic applications regarding living people. Solid-phase microextraction was preferably employed in the headspace mode and many kinds of fibers were employed, although polydimethylsiloxane was the most adaptable to many forensic realities. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was more frequently used, probably for the well-established coupling with SPME. Most of the papers validated their method to harmonize the scientific approaches of procedures development. Good outcomes are reported on biological material collected from living people as well as on cadaveric samples. The results obtained by most of the studies about alcohol biomarkers on scalp hair have been adopted by the "Society of Hair Testing" to demonstrate abstinence over a pre-defined time period and to assess chronic excessive alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia De Giovanni
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Daniela Marchetti
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Roma, Italy
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Mihretu LD, Gebru AG, Mekonnen KN, Asgedom AG, Desta YH. Determination of ethanol in blood using headspace gas chromatography with flameionization detector (HS-GC-FID): Validation of a method. COGENT CHEMISTRY 2020; 6:1760187. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1080/23312009.2020.1760187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Libargachew Demlie Mihretu
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Mekelle University, P.O. BoX: 231, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Asfaw Gebretsadik Gebru
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Mekelle University, P.O. BoX: 231, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Kebede Nigussie Mekonnen
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Mekelle University, P.O. BoX: 231, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Abraha Gebrekidan Asgedom
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Mekelle University, P.O. BoX: 231, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Ykalo Hadush Desta
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Mekelle University, P.O. BoX: 231, Mekelle, Ethiopia
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Woźniak MK, Wiergowski M, Namieśnik J, Biziuk M. Biomarkers of Alcohol Consumption in Body Fluids - Possibilities and Limitations of Application in Toxicological Analysis. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:177-196. [PMID: 28982313 DOI: 10.2174/0929867324666171005111911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethyl alcohol is the most popular legal drug, but its excessive consumption causes social problems. Despite many public campaigns against alcohol use, car accidents, instances of aggressive behaviour, sexual assaults and deterioration in labor productivity caused by inebriated people is still commonplace. Fast and easy diagnosis of alcohol consumption is required in order to introduce proper and effective therapy, and is crucial in forensic toxicology analysis. The easiest method to prove alcohol intake is determination of ethanol in body fluids or in breath. However, since ethanol is rapidly metabolized in the human organism, only recent consumption can be detected using this method. Because of that, the determination of alcohol biomarkers was introduced for monitoring alcohol consumption over a wider range of time. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to review published studies focusing on the sample preparation methods and chromatographic or biochemical techniques for the determination of alcohol biomarkers in whole blood, plasma, serum and urine. METHODS An electronic literature search was performed to discuss possibilities and limitations of application of alcohol biomarkers in toxicological analysis. RESULTS Authors described the markers of alcohol consumption such as: ethanol, its nonoxidative metabolites (ethyl glucuronide, ethyl sulfate, phosphatidylethanol, ethyl phosphate, fatty acid ethyl esters) and oxidative metabolites (acetaldehyde and acetaldehyde adducts). We also discussed issues concerning the detection window of these biomarkers, and possibilities and limitations of their use in routine analytical toxicology for monitoring alcohol consumption or sobriety during alcohol therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Kacper Woźniak
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology (GUT), 11/12 Narutowicza Str., Gdansk 80-233, Poland
| | - Marek Wiergowski
- Chair & Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk (MUG), 3a M. Skłodowskiej-Curie Str., Gdansk 80-210, Poland
| | - Jacek Namieśnik
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology (GUT), 11/12 Narutowicza Str., Gdansk 80-233, Poland
| | - Marek Biziuk
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology (GUT), 11/12 Narutowicza Str., Gdansk 80-233, Poland
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Qi W, Guo HL, Wang CL, Hou LH, Cao XH, Liu JF, Lu FP. Comparative study on fermentation performance in the genome shuffled Candida versatilis and wild-type salt tolerant yeast strain. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2017; 97:284-290. [PMID: 27012958 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Revised: 01/31/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The fermentation performance of a genome-shuffled strain of Candida versatilis S3-5, isolated for improved tolerance to salt, and wild-type (WT) strain were analysed. The fermentation parameters, such as growth, reducing sugar, ethanol, organic acids and volatile compounds, were detected during soy sauce fermentation process. RESULTS The results showed that ethanol produced by the genome shuffled strain S3-5 was increasing at a faster rate and to a greater extent than WT. At the end of the fermentation, malic acid, citric acid and succinic acid formed in tricarboxylic acid cycle after S3-5 treatment elevated by 39.20%, 6.85% and 17.09% compared to WT, respectively. Moreover, flavour compounds such as phenethyl acetate, ethyl vanillate, ethyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, ethyl myristate, ethyl pentadecanoate, ethyl palmitate and phenylacetaldehyde produced by S3-5 were 2.26, 2.12, 2.87, 34.41, 6.32, 13.64, 2.23 and 78.85 times as compared to WT. CONCLUSIONS S3-5 exhibited enhanced metabolic ability as compared to the wild-type strain, improved conversion of sugars to ethanol, metabolism of organic acid and formation of volatile compounds, especially esters, Moreover, S3-5 might be an ester-flavour type salt-tolerant yeast. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Qi
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology (Tianjin University of Science & Technology), Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300457, P.R. China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Enzymes (Tianjin University of Science & Technology), Tianjin, 300457, P.R. China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology (Tianjin University of Science & Technology), Tianjin, 300457, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Lian Guo
- Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety (Tianjin University of Science & Technology), Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300457, P.R. China
| | - Chun-Ling Wang
- Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety (Tianjin University of Science & Technology), Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300457, P.R. China
| | - Li-Hua Hou
- Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety (Tianjin University of Science & Technology), Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300457, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Hong Cao
- Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety (Tianjin University of Science & Technology), Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300457, P.R. China
| | - Jin-Fu Liu
- Department of Food Science, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300384, P.R. China
| | - Fu-Ping Lu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology (Tianjin University of Science & Technology), Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300457, P.R. China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Enzymes (Tianjin University of Science & Technology), Tianjin, 300457, P.R. China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology (Tianjin University of Science & Technology), Tianjin, 300457, P.R. China
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9
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Qi W, Zhang WT, Lu FP. Carbon metabolism and transcriptional variation in response to salt stress in the genome shuffled Candida versatilis and a wild-type salt tolerant yeast strain. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra25188a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The carbon metabolism and molecular mechanisms of adaptation response when exposed to conditions causing osmotic stress in strains of a wild-type of Candida versatilis (WT) and S3–5 were investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Qi
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology
- Tianjin University of Science & Technology
- Ministry of Education
- Tianjin 300457
- P. R. China
| | - Wen-Tao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety
- Tianjin University of Science & Technology
- Ministry of Education
- Tianjin 300457
- P. R. China
| | - Fu-Ping Lu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology
- Tianjin University of Science & Technology
- Ministry of Education
- Tianjin 300457
- P. R. China
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10
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De Martinis BS, de Paula CMC, Braga A, Moreira HT, Martin CCS. Alcohol distribution in different postmortem body fluids. Hum Exp Toxicol 2016; 25:93-7. [PMID: 16539214 DOI: 10.1191/0960327106ht596oa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Aims: The determination of postmortem ethanol is one of the most frequently requested analyses in forensic toxicology and of extreme importance, especially when the concentration is found to be above the legal level for intoxication at one sampling site and below that level at another sampling site. Because of the unavailability of blood samples for toxicological analysis or even contaminated samples, there is an enormous effort to find alternative sampling sites, such as vitreous humor for ethanol analysis. The main purpose of this study was to establish correlations between urine and blood alcohol concentrations collected from different sites and vitreous humor. Methods: Ethanol concentrations were determined in specimens of heart, subclavian and femoral blood, urine and vitreous humor, collected from 21 cadavers who were victims of different causes of death. Determinations of ethanol were performed in duplicate using capillary gas chromatography/flame ionization detector and headspace techniques. Results: Statistical analysis of the results indicated that there were no significant differences among urine and blood samples collected from different sites compared to vitreous humor. Regarding vitreous humor ethanol concentration, Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.97 for femoral blood and urine, 0.96 for heart blood and 0.94 for subclavian blood. The results demonstrated that all the fluids tested against vitreous humor significantly correlated with P (associated probability for the used correlation tests) B<0.05. Conclusions: Vitreous humor can be considered as an alternative sample to urine and blood specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- B S De Martinis
- Department of Pathology, Center of Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Rua Tenente Catão Roxo 2418, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14051-140, Brazil.
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11
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Bioanalytical procedures and developments in the determination of alcohol biomarkers in biological specimens. Bioanalysis 2016; 8:229-51. [DOI: 10.4155/bio.15.240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive alcohol consumption is a global problem, and consequently its evaluation is of great clinical and forensic interest. Alcohol biomarkers have been the focus of several research works in the past decades, with new compounds being studied in more recent years. The main objective of this review is to discuss topics for an analyst to consider when evaluating alcohol consumption through the analysis of alcohol biomarkers in biological specimens. For this, existing alcohol biomarkers will be reviewed, including carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, 5-hydroxytryptophol, ethanol, hemoglobin-associated acetaldehyde, fatty acid ethyl esters, ethyl glucuronide, ethyl sulfate and phosphatidylethanol. Additionally, their potential will be discussed, as well as analytical considerations, main challenges, limitations, data interpretation and existing methodologies for their determination in biological specimens.
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12
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Follesa P, Floris G, Asuni GP, Ibba A, Tocco MG, Zicca L, Mercante B, Deriu F, Gorini G. Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Regulates Hippocampal GABA(A) Receptor Delta Subunit Gene Expression. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:445. [PMID: 26617492 PMCID: PMC4637418 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic ethanol consumption causes structural and functional reorganization in the hippocampus and induces alterations in the gene expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAARs). Distinct forced intermittent exposure models have been used previously to investigate changes in GABAAR expression, with contrasting results. Here, we used repeated cycles of a Chronic Intermittent Ethanol paradigm to examine the relationship between voluntary, dependence-associated ethanol consumption, and GABAAR gene expression in mouse hippocampus. Adult male C57BL/6J mice were exposed to four 16-h ethanol vapor (or air) cycles in inhalation chambers alternated with limited-access two-bottle choice between ethanol (15%) and water consumption. The mice exposed to ethanol vapor showed significant increases in ethanol consumption compared to their air-matched controls. GABAAR alpha4 and delta subunit gene expression were measured by qRT-PCR at different stages. There were significant changes in GABAAR delta subunit transcript levels at different time points in ethanol-vapor exposed mice, while the alpha4 subunit levels remained unchanged. Correlated concurrent blood ethanol concentrations suggested that GABAAR delta subunit mRNA levels fluctuate depending on ethanol intoxication, dependence, and withdrawal state. Using a vapor-based Chronic Intermittent Ethanol procedure with combined two-bottle choice consumption, we corroborated previous evidences showing that discontinuous ethanol exposure affects GABAAR delta subunit expression but we did not observe changes in alpha4 subunit. These findings indicate that hippocampal GABAAR delta subunit expression changes transiently over the course of a Chronic Intermittent Ethanol paradigm associated with voluntary intake, in response to ethanol-mediated disturbance of GABAergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Follesa
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gabriele Floris
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gino P Asuni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio Ibba
- Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria G Tocco
- Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
| | - Luca Zicca
- Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Franca Deriu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari Sassari, Italy
| | - Giorgio Gorini
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari Cagliari, Italy
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13
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Abolghasemi MM, Hassani S, Rafiee E, Yousefi V. Nanoscale-supported heteropoly acid as a new fiber coating for solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2015; 1381:48-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2014.12.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2014] [Revised: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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14
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Abstract
Since the complexity origin of biological samples, the research trends have been directed to the development of new miniaturized sample preparation techniques. This review provides a comprehensive survey of past and present microextraction methods followed by GC analysis for preconcentration and determination of various analytes in urine samples. These techniques have been classified in three general groups, including liquid-, solid- and membrane-based techniques. The principal of different microextraction methods that are located in each general group as well as their various extraction modes and the recent developments introduced for them has been presented. Subsequently, a comparison survey has been carried out among different microextraction techniques and finally a future perspective has been predicted based on the existing literature.
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15
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Comparison of SPME and static headspace analysis of blood alcohol concentration utilizing two novel chromatographic stationary phases. Forensic Sci Int 2013; 231:e50-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Revised: 04/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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16
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Cordell RL, Pandya H, Hubbard M, Turner MA, Monks PS. GC-MS analysis of ethanol and other volatile compounds in micro-volume blood samples—quantifying neonatal exposure. Anal Bioanal Chem 2013; 405:4139-47. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-013-6809-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2012] [Revised: 01/25/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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17
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Boumba VA, Economou V, Kourkoumelis N, Gousia P, Papadopoulou C, Vougiouklakis T. Microbial ethanol production: Experimental study and multivariate evaluation. Forensic Sci Int 2012; 215:189-98. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2010] [Revised: 03/03/2011] [Accepted: 03/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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18
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Gottzein AK, Musshoff F, Madea B. Qualitative screening for volatile organic compounds in human blood using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2010; 45:391-397. [PMID: 20301087 DOI: 10.1002/jms.1723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
A fast and simple screening procedure using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) in full-scan mode for the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOC) is presented. The development of a fast and simple screening technique for the simultaneous determination of various volatiles is of great importance, because of their widespread use, frequent occurrence in forensic toxicological questions and the fact that there is often no hint on involved substances at the crime scene. To simulate a screening procedure, eight VOC with different chemical characteristics were chosen (isoflurane, halothane, hexane, chloroform, benzene, isooctane, toluene and xylene). To achieve maximum sensitivity, variables that influence the SPME process, such as type of fiber, extraction and desorption temperature and time, agitation and additives were optimized by preliminary studies and by means of a central composite design. The limits of detection and recoveries ranged from 2.9 microg/l (xylene) to 37.1 microg/l (isoflurane) and 7.9% (chloroform) to 61.5% (benzene), respectively. This procedure can be used to answer various forensic and toxicological questions. The short time taken for the whole analytical procedure may make its eventual adoption for routine analysis attractive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kathrin Gottzein
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Toxicology, University of Bonn, Stiftsplatz 12, Bonn 53111, Germany.
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Recent developments and applications of microextraction techniques in drug analysis. Anal Bioanal Chem 2009; 396:339-64. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-009-3076-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2009] [Revised: 08/12/2009] [Accepted: 08/17/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Luan T, Fang S, Zhong Y, Lin L, Chan SM, Lan C, Tam NF. Determination of hydroxy metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by fully automated solid-phase microextraction derivatization and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2007; 1173:37-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2007.10.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2007] [Revised: 10/12/2007] [Accepted: 10/16/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Pragst F. Application of solid-phase microextraction in analytical toxicology. Anal Bioanal Chem 2007; 388:1393-414. [PMID: 17476482 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-007-1289-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2007] [Revised: 03/28/2007] [Accepted: 03/29/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a miniaturized and solvent-free sample preparation technique for chromatographic-spectrometric analysis by which the analytes are extracted from a gaseous or liquid sample by absorption in, or adsorption on, a thin polymer coating fixed to the solid surface of a fiber, inside an injection needle or inside a capillary. In this paper, the present state of practical performance and of applications of SPME to the analysis of blood, urine, oral fluid and hair in clinical and forensic toxicology is reviewed. The commercial coatings for fibers or needles have not essentially changed for many years, but there are interesting laboratory developments, such as conductive polypyrrole coatings for electrochemically controlled SPME of anions or cations and coatings with restricted-access properties for direct extraction from whole blood or immunoaffinity SPME. In-tube SPME uses segments of commercial gas chromatography (GC) capillaries for highly efficient extraction by repeated aspiration-ejection cycles of the liquid sample. It can be easily automated in combination with liquid chromatography but, as it is very sensitive to capillary plugging, it requires completely homogeneous liquid samples. In contrast, fiber-based SPME has not yet been performed automatically in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography. The headspace extractions on fibers or needles (solid-phase dynamic extraction) combined with GC methods are the most advantageous versions of SPME because of very pure extracts and the availability of automatic samplers. Surprisingly, substances with quite high boiling points, such as tricyclic antidepressants or phenothiazines, can be measured by headspace SPME from aqueous samples. The applicability and sensitivity of SPME was essentially extended by in-sample or on-fiber derivatization. The different modes of SPME were applied to analysis of solvents and inhalation narcotics, amphetamines, cocaine and metabolites, cannabinoids, methadone and other opioids, fatty acid ethyl esters as alcohol markers, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, benzodiazepines, various other therapeutic drugs, pesticides, chemical warfare agents, cyanide, sulfide and metal ions. In general, SPME is routinely used in optimized methods for specific analytes. However, it was shown that it also has some capacity for a general screening by direct immersion into urine samples and for pesticides and other semivolatile substance in the headspace mode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fritz Pragst
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Charité, Hittorfstr. 18, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
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Wille SMR, Lambert WEE. Recent developments in extraction procedures relevant to analytical toxicology. Anal Bioanal Chem 2007; 388:1381-91. [PMID: 17468854 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-007-1294-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2007] [Revised: 04/03/2007] [Accepted: 04/04/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Sample preparation is an important step in the development of an analytical method but is often regarded as time-consuming, laborious work. Optimum sample preparation leads to enhanced selectivity and sensitivity, however, and reduces amounts of interfering matrix compounds, resulting in less signal suppression or enhancement. Recent developments in extraction techniques that could be of interest in clinical and forensic toxicology, for example liquid-liquid, solid-phase, and headspace extraction, are summarized in this review. The advantages and disadvantages of several extraction techniques are discussed, to enable the reader to choose an appropriate method of extraction for his or her application. Attention is paid to current trends in analytical toxicology, for example miniaturization, high throughput, and automation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M R Wille
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Gent, Belgium
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Boumba VA, Ziavrou KS, Vougiouklakis T. Biochemical pathways generating post-mortem volatile compounds co-detected during forensic ethanol analyses. Forensic Sci Int 2007; 174:133-51. [PMID: 17452087 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2007.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2007] [Revised: 03/13/2007] [Accepted: 03/21/2007] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In this contribution are presented the fermentations of the main substrates present in a decaying corpse, namely carbohydrates, amino acids, glycerol and fatty acids, generating the post-mortem volatile compounds that could be detected along with ethanol during the forensic ethanol analysis. The available literature (preferably reviews) on microbial metabolic pathways (enzymes, substrates, conditions) that are implicated in the formation of these volatiles has been reviewed. The microbial formation of the following volatiles is supported by the presented biochemical data: ethanol, acetaldehyde, acetone, 2-propanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, isobutanol, isoamyl alcohol, d-amyl alcohol, acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate and ethyl esters (mainly ethyl acetate). The extracted information was correlated with the existing forensic literature on the post-mortem detected volatiles. The significance of the microbial produced volatiles on the selection of an appropriate internal standard for the ethanol analysis has been considered. Finally, the possible contribution of the presence of volatiles in the interpretation of ethanol analysis results in post-mortem cases is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassiliki A Boumba
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
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Kugelberg FC, Jones AW. Interpreting results of ethanol analysis in postmortem specimens: A review of the literature. Forensic Sci Int 2007; 165:10-29. [PMID: 16782292 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2006.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2006] [Revised: 04/24/2006] [Accepted: 05/09/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We searched the scientific literature for articles dealing with postmortem aspects of ethanol and problems associated with making a correct interpretation of the results. A person's blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) and state of inebriation at the time of death is not always easy to establish owing to various postmortem artifacts. The possibility of alcohol being produced in the body after death, e.g. via microbial contamination and fermentation is a recurring issue in routine casework. If ethanol remains unabsorbed in the stomach at the time of death, this raises the possibility of continued local diffusion into surrounding tissues and central blood after death. Skull trauma often renders a person unconscious for several hours before death, during which time the BAC continues to decrease owing to metabolism in the liver. Under these circumstances blood from an intracerebral or subdural clot is a useful specimen for determination of ethanol. Bodies recovered from water are particular problematic to deal with owing to possible dilution of body fluids, decomposition, and enhanced risk of microbial synthesis of ethanol. The relationship between blood and urine-ethanol concentrations has been extensively investigated in autopsy specimens and the urine/blood concentration ratio might give a clue about the stage of alcohol absorption and distribution at the time of death. Owing to extensive abdominal trauma in aviation disasters (e.g. rupture of the viscera), interpretation of BAC in autopsy specimens from the pilot and crew is highly contentious and great care is needed to reach valid conclusions. Vitreous humor is strongly recommended as a body fluid for determination of ethanol in postmortem toxicology to help establish whether the deceased had consumed ethanol before death. Less common autopsy specimens submitted for analysis include bile, bone marrow, brain, testicle, muscle tissue, liver, synovial and cerebrospinal fluids. Some investigators recommend measuring the water content of autopsy blood and if necessary correcting the concentration of ethanol to a mean value of 80% w/w, which corresponds to fresh whole blood. Alcoholics often die at home with zero or low BAC and nothing more remarkable at autopsy than a fatty liver. Increasing evidence suggests that such deaths might be caused by a pronounced ketoacidosis. Recent research has focused on developing various biochemical tests or markers of postmortem synthesis of ethanol. These include the urinary metabolites of serotonin and non-oxidative metabolites of ethanol, such as ethyl glucuronide, phosphatidylethanol and fatty acid ethyl esters. This literature review will hopefully be a good starting point for those who are contemplating a fresh investigation into some aspect of postmortem alcohol analysis and toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik C Kugelberg
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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Yang L, Lan C, Liu H, Dong J, Luan T. Full automation of solid-phase microextraction/on-fiber derivatization for simultaneous determination of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and steroid hormones by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 2006; 386:391-7. [PMID: 16865335 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-006-0631-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2006] [Revised: 06/08/2006] [Accepted: 06/16/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A fully automated method using direct immersion solid-phase microextraction (DI-SPME) and headspace on-fiber silylation for simultaneous determinations of exogenous endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and endogenous steroid hormones in environmental aqueous and biological samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed and compared to a previously reported manual method. Three EDCs and five endocrine steroid hormones were selected to evaluate this method. The extraction and derivatization time, ion strength, pH, incubation temperature, sample volume, and extraction solvent were optimized. Satisfactory results in pure water were obtained in terms of linearity of calibration curve (R2=0.9932-1.0000), dynamic range (3 orders of magnitude), precision (4-9% RSD), as well as LOD (0.001-0.124 microg L(-1)) and LOQ (0.004-0.413 microg L(-1)), respectively. These results were similar to those obtained using a manual method, and moreover, the precision was improved. This new automated method has been applied to the determinations of target compounds in real samples used in our previous study on a manual SPME method. Exogenous octylphenol (OP), technical grade nonylphenol (t-NP), and diethylstilbestrol (DES) were at 0.13, 5.03, and 0.02 microg L(-1) in river water and 3.76, 13.25, and 0.10 microg L(-1) in fish serum, respectively. Natural steroid hormones estrone (E1), 17beta-estradiol (E2), and testosterone (T) were at 0.19, 0.11, and 6.22 microg L(-1) in river water; and in female fish serum E1, E2, and pregnenolone (PREG) were at 1.37, 1.95, and 6.25 microg L(-1), respectively. These results were confirmed by the manual method. The developed fully automated SPME and on-fiber silylation procedures showed satisfactory applications in environmental analysis and the performances show improved precision and a reduced analysis time compared to the manual method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen (Zhongshan) University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
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De Martinis BS, Martins Ruzzene MA, Santos Martin CC. Determination of ethanol in human blood and urine by automated headspace solid-phase microextraction and capillary gas chromatography. Anal Chim Acta 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2004.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Wasfi IA, Al-Awadhi AH, Al-Hatali ZN, Al-Rayami FJ, Al Katheeri NA. Rapid and sensitive static headspace gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method for the analysis of ethanol and abused inhalants in blood. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2004; 799:331-6. [PMID: 14670752 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2003.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A sensitive and specific method using static headspace gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) has been developed for the quantitative determination of ethanol in biological fluids using n-propanol as internal standard. Gas chromatography was performed in isothermal mode with a GC run time of 2.6 min. The quantification was performed using scan mode abstracting a quantitative ion and a qualifier ion for ethanol and for the internal standard. The method was linear (r(2), 0.999, in the concentration range of 5-200 mg/dl), specific (no interference from methanol acetaldehyde, acetone or from endogenous materials), sensitive (limit of quantification and limit of detection of 0.2 and 0.02 mg/dl, respectively) and robust (less than 5% inter- and intra-assay coefficient of variation). A slightly modified method was also developed for the quantification of five commonly abused inhalants (dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, benzene, toluene and xylene) in blood. The method used a gradient GC program with a run time of 8 min. The quantification was performed using scan mode and integrating the area under the peak using trichloroethane as an internal standard. Without optimization, the method was linear (from 5 to 100 mg/l) and sensitive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim A Wasfi
- Camelracing Laboratory, Forensic Science Laboratory, P.O. Box 253, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Brettell
- Forensic Science Laboratory Bureau, New Jersey State Police, Box 7068, West Trenton, New Jersey 08628-0068, USA
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