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Li Y, Lian R, Sheng Z, Mao J, Mao C, Liang C, Zhang P, Ni C, Wang R, Zhang Y. Automatic MDSPE Combined with DART-HRMS for the Rapid Quantitation of 21 Synthetic Cathinones in Urine. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2024; 35:40-49. [PMID: 38109269 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
A new, rapid, and automated method for the quantitation of 21 synthetic cathinones in urine was established using magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction (MDSPE) in combination with direct analysis in real time-high-resolution mass spectrometry (DART-HRMS). Sample preparation and quantitation were verified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Methcathinone-D3, α-PVP-D8, and proadifen (SKF525A) were used as internal standards. Magnetic HLB extractant and NaH2PO4/NaOH buffer (0.2 M, pH 7) were used in automatic MDSPE. All 21 synthetic cathinones could be detected and analyzed by DART-HRMS in under 1 min. It was proven that the linearities of 21 synthetic cathinones were suitable (R2 > 0.99) in the concentration ranges of 0.5-100 ng/mL or 1-100 ng/mL. The precision and accuracy values were all within ±15%, and the samples were stable under various conditions. The average time of each sample from preprocessing to completion of detection was approximately 2 min, allowing for rapid sample analysis. The relative error (RE) of the concentrations obtained by DART-HRMS and LC-MS/MS were within ±13.61%, and the linear coefficient (R) was 0.9964. The results of DART-HRMS and LC-MS/MS provided equivalent values at the 95% confidence level. In summary, a simple, fast, and convenient quantitation method via DART-HRMS was established. This application can be utilized to reduce backlogs and promote rapid case processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Li
- China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, State Key Laboratory of New Drug and Pharmaceutical Process, Shanghai 200040, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200083, China
| | - Ru Lian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200083, China
| | - Zhenhai Sheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200083, China
| | - Jinting Mao
- Huangpu Branch of Shanghai Public Security Bureau, Shanghai 200010, China
| | - Chen Mao
- Huangpu Branch of Shanghai Public Security Bureau, Shanghai 200010, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200083, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Shanghai Shaanxi Coal Hi-tech Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201613, China
| | - Chunfang Ni
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200083, China
| | - Rong Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200083, China
| | - Yurong Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200083, China
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Yang FS, Lee HH, Tseng LP, Lee YH, Lan YS, Lee YC, Chou YC, Lin YC. Simultaneous Determination and Stability Analysis of Ten New Psychoactive Substances including Synthetic Cathinones, Phenethylamines, and Ketamine Substitutes in Urine Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Int J Anal Chem 2023; 2023:9895595. [PMID: 37492520 PMCID: PMC10365918 DOI: 10.1155/2023/9895595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowing the stability of drugs is important to ensure accurate and reliable results of drug concentrations. This study evaluated the stability of ten new psychoactive substances (NPSs) in urine and methanol/water at different storage temperatures. Quantitative analyses were performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Three replicates of each storage condition were analyzed at day 0 and after 7, 14-, 30-, 60-, and 90 days with storage at +25°C, +4°C, and -20°C. For each analyte, the percent difference at each time interval from day 0 was calculated for each storage condition. Para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA), para-methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA), deschloroketamine (DCK), and 2-fluorodeschloroketamine (2-FDCK) were stable in urine, even when stored for 90-day periods at various temperatures. For synthetic cathinones, the concentrations declined over time at room temperature (+25°C) in urine but were relatively stable in methanol solvent with 0.1% formic acid. The significant degradation was found at +25°C, and the most excellent stability was shown by samples stored at -20°C. Phenethylamines (PMA and PMMA) and ketamine substitutes (DCK and 2-FDCK) were relatively more stable than synthetic cathinones (mephedrone, butylone, pentylone, ephylone, 4-MEAPP, and eutylone).
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Shuo Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Hei-Hwa Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Li-Ping Tseng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Hung Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Sheng Lan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Cheng Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Cheng Chou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ching Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Doctoral Degree Program of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
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Göktaş EF, Kabil E. Stability of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in urine and solution: effects of degradation on analytical assessment. Bioanalysis 2023; 15:407-419. [PMID: 37125899 DOI: 10.4155/bio-2023-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims: Knowledge of optimal storage conditions of drugs is crucial for properly interpreting analytical assessments. Materials & methods: The current study aimed to investigate the stability of some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs using a validated method by gas chromatography (GC)-MS. For this propose, long-term, short-term and solution stability were investigated. Results: The analytes remained stable in the sample, similar to the working solution. The most affected substance over time in both matrix and working solution was phenylbutazone. The freeze-thaw cycle affected flunixin and carprofen, but diclofenac and vedaprofen changed only in the third cycle. In short-term stability, high-temperature conditions changed carprofen. Conclusion: The present study is a comprehensive assay for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug stability and can be used as a reference for results assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eylem Funda Göktaş
- Doping Control Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology Istanbul Pendik Veterinary Control Institute, Istanbul, 34890, Türkiye
| | - Erol Kabil
- Doping Control Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology Istanbul Pendik Veterinary Control Institute, Istanbul, 34890, Türkiye
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4
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Development and validation of a chiral LC-MS/MS method for the separation and quantification of four synthetic cathinones in human whole blood and its application in stability analysis. Talanta 2023; 253:123986. [PMID: 36228559 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123986] [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: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic cathinones, a subclass of new psychoactive substances, have gained high popularity on the recreational drugs market over the past years. These drugs typically have a chiral center, so they may exist as two stereoisomers. Therefore the pharmacological, pharmacokinetic or metabolic properties of their enantiomers are expected to differ. However, these drugs are often synthesized and sold as a racemic mixture, and as a consequence, differentiation of their (R)- and (S)- enantiomers is relevant in clinical and forensic toxicology. Information about single enantiomers of synthetic cathinones is relatively scarce due to challenges of their chiral analysis. Hence, a sensitive and reliable liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the chiral separation and quantification of four synthetic cathinones in human whole blood samples. The method was fully validated in terms of linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, bias, precision, carryover, interferences, matrix effects, recovery and processed sample stability and successfully applied to evaluate the stability as well as enantioselective degradation of synthetic cathinones enantiomers under various storage conditions. For most of the analytes, significant enantioselective degradation was observed when stored at room temperature or refrigerated, with the E2-enantiomers observed to more rapidly degrade under both conditions. This is the first report concerning the stability and enantioselective degradation of synthetic cathinone enantiomers in whole blood. Moreover, the inversion study demonstrated enantiomeric inversion of R-(-)- and S-(+)-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in human whole blood and methanolic solution.
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Júlio S, Ferro RA, Santos S, Alexandre A, Caldeira MJ, Franco J, Barroso M, Gaspar H. Synthesis of emerging cathinones and validation of a SPE GC-MS method for their simultaneous quantification in blood. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:571-589. [PMID: 36494605 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04440-6] [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: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 15 years, synthetic cathinones have emerged as an important class of new psychoactive substances (NPS) worldwide. The proliferation of these psychostimulants and their sought-after effects among recreational drug users pose a serious threat to public health and enormous challenges to forensic laboratories. For forensic institutions, it is essential to be one step ahead of covert laboratories, foreseeing the structural changes possible to introduce in the core skeleton of cathinones while maintaining their stimulating activity. In this manner, it is feasible to equip themselves with standards of possible new cathinones and validated analytical methods for their qualitative and quantitative detection. Therefore, the aim of the work herein described was to synthesize emerging cathinones based on the evolving patterns in the illicit drug market, and to develop an analytical method for their accurate determination in forensic situations. Five so far unreported cathinones [4'-methyl-N-dimethylbuphedrone (4-MDMB), 4'-methyl-N-ethylbuphedrone (4-MNEB), 4'-methyl-N-dimethylpentedrone (4-MDMP), 4'-methyl-N-dimethylhexedrone (4-MDMH), and 4'-methyl-N-diethylbuphedrone (4-MDEB)] and a sixth one, 4'-methyl-N-ethylpentedrone, already reported to EMCDDA and also known as 4-MEAP, were synthesized and fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS). An analytical method for the simultaneous quantification of these cathinones in blood, using solid phase extraction (SPE) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed and validated. The results prove that this methodology is selective, linear, precise, and accurate. For all target cathinones, the extraction efficiency was higher than 73%, linearity was observed in the range of 10 (lower limit of quantification, LLOQ) to 800 ng/mL, with coefficients of determination higher than 0.99, and the limits of detection (LODs) were 5 ng/mL for all target cathinones. The stability of these cathinones in blood matrices is dependent on the storage conditions; 4-MNEB is the most stable compound and 4-MDMH is the least stable compound. The low limits obtained allow the detection of the compounds in situations where they are involved, even if present at low concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Júlio
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal.,Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-535, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Raquel A Ferro
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Santos
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andrea Alexandre
- Laboratório de Polícia Científica da Polícia Judiciária - Setor de Drogas e Toxicologia, Rua Gomes Freire, 1169-007, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria João Caldeira
- Laboratório de Polícia Científica da Polícia Judiciária - Setor de Drogas e Toxicologia, Rua Gomes Freire, 1169-007, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Franco
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P. - Delegação do Sul, Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Rua Manuel Bento de Sousa, 3, 1169-201, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mário Barroso
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, I.P. - Delegação do Sul, Serviço de Química e Toxicologia Forenses, Rua Manuel Bento de Sousa, 3, 1169-201, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Helena Gaspar
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal. .,MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Polytechnic of Leiria, 2520-630, Peniche, Portugal.
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Cheng JYK, Hui JWS, Chan WS, So MH, Hong YH, Leung WT, Ku KW, Yeung HS, Lo KM, Fung KM, Ip CY, Dao KL, Cheung BKK. Interpol review of toxicology 2019-2022. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2022; 6:100303. [PMID: 36597440 PMCID: PMC9799715 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2022.100303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bobbie Kwok-keung Cheung
- Corresponding author. Government Laboratory, 7/F, Homantin Government Offices, 88 Chung Hau Street, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, SAR, Hong Kong, China. http://www.govtlab.gov.hk/
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Bonetti JL, Samanipour S, van Asten AC. Utilization of Machine Learning for the Differentiation of Positional NPS Isomers with Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2022; 94:5029-5040. [PMID: 35297608 PMCID: PMC8968871 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c04985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
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The differentiation
of positional isomers is a well established
analytical challenge for forensic laboratories. As more novel psychoactive
substances (NPSs) are introduced to the illicit drug market, robust
yet efficient methods of isomer identification are needed. Although
current literature suggests that Direct Analysis in Real Time–Time-of-Flight
mass spectrometry (DART-ToF) with in-source collision induced dissociation
(is-CID) can be used to differentiate positional isomers, it is currently
unclear whether this capability extends to positional isomers whose
only structural difference is the precise location of a single substitution
on an aromatic ring. The aim of this work was to determine whether
chemometric analysis of DART-ToF data could offer forensic laboratories
an alternative rapid and robust method of differentiating NPS positional
ring isomers. To test the feasibility of this technique, three positional
isomer sets (fluoroamphetamine, fluoromethamphetamine, and methylmethcathinone)
were analyzed. Using a linear rail for consistent sample introduction,
the three isomers of each type were analyzed 96 times over an eight-week
timespan. The classification methods investigated included a univariate
approach, the Welch t test at each included ion;
a multivariate approach, linear discriminant analysis; and a machine
learning approach, the Random Forest classifier. For each method,
multiple validation techniques were used including restricting the
classifier to data that was only generated on one day. Of these classification
methods, the Random Forest algorithm was ultimately the most accurate
and robust, consistently achieving out-of-bag error rates below 5%.
At an inconclusive rate of approximately 5%, a success rate of 100%
was obtained for isomer identification when applied to a randomly
selected test set. The model was further tested with data acquired
as a part of a different batch. The highest classification success
rate was 93.9%, and error rates under 5% were consistently achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Bonetti
- Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, The Netherlands.,Virginia Department of Forensic Science, Norfolk, Virginia 23606, United States
| | - Saer Samanipour
- Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, The Netherlands
| | - Arian C van Asten
- Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, Amsterdam 1090 GD, The Netherlands.,Co van Ledden Hulsebosch Center (CLHC), Amsterdam Center for Forensic Science and Medicine, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Niebel A, Pragst F, Krumbiegel F, Hartwig S. Prevalence of cathinones and other new psychoactive substances in hair of parents and children of families with known or suspected parental abuse of conventional illegal drugs. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 331:111148. [PMID: 34923263 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.111148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hair analysis of parents and their children was regularly used since 2011 as a diagnostic tool in a social support project for families with known or suspected abuse of conventional illegal drugs and revealed a high incidence of cocaine, cannabinoids, amphetamines, ecstasy and heroin. In this context, the prevalence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in these families should be important for a realistic estimate of the situation. METHODS The extracts of 1537 hair samples from 318 children (age 1-14 years), 44 adolescents and 611 adults, which were collected and tested for conventional drugs between June 2016 and April 2021 and frozen at -20 °C, were reanalyzed by a validated LC-MS/MS method (limits of quantitation 5-24 pg/mg) for 33 cathinones, 10 phenylethylamines, 5 piperazines including the antidepressant trazodone, 2 tryptamines, 9 designer benzodiazepines, 4 synthetic opioids and 4 ketamine-like substances including phencyclidine. RESULTS Between one and up to five from 42 of these substances were detected in 227 samples (14.8%). The most frequently detected substances were benzedrone (62x), α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (41x), N-ethylamphetamine (29x), dimethyltryptamine (13x) and pyrovalerone (11x). The quantification was possible only for 34 results of 15 drugs and the remaining majority of the results were unambiguously identified below LLOQ. The relative frequency of conventional drugs in the 227 NPS positive samples was higher than in all 1310 NPS negative samples for cocaine (69.6% vs. 56.0%), heroin (6-acetylmorphine 8.8% vs. 4.9%), amphetamine (16.3% vs. 7.7%) and MDMA (16.3% vs. 7.0%) but was similar for THC (38.3% vs. 36.3%) and benzodiazepines (1.8% vs. 1.7%). The high prevalence of N-ethylamphetamine can be explained as a byproduct of the illicit amphetamine synthesis from benzaldehyde and nitroethane rather than as a separate drug or as a combined metabolite of amphetamine and ethanol. The isolated appearance of 3-trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine in 9 hair samples collected in January 2017 can be caused either by its use as an NPS or by its formation as a metabolite of the medical drug flibanserin. The results were compared within 17 families whose members were tested at the same time and showed positive NPS results. The detected drugs agreed between both parents only in about half of the cases whereas the drugs found in children's hair was always detected also in hair of one or both parents. CONCLUSION The re-testing of hair extracts for NPS after long-time storage in frozen state enables an impression about the relative high prevalence in the tested population group, despite the limitation by partial degradation of the substances and the corresponding impossibility in quantitative assessments. In addition to conventional drugs, the hair test for these substances should be useful in unclear cases of child's welfare endangerment and in family law.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Niebel
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Turmstraße 21 (Haus N), 10559 Berlin, Germany; Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Königin-Luise-Straße 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Fritz Pragst
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Turmstraße 21 (Haus N), 10559 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Franziska Krumbiegel
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Turmstraße 21 (Haus N), 10559 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sven Hartwig
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Turmstraße 21 (Haus N), 10559 Berlin, Germany
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Li Y, Lian R, Yang F, Xu Z, Cao F, Wang R, Liang C, Zhang Y. Rapid quantitation of three synthetic cathinones in urine by magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction combined with DART-HRMS. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2021; 13:5048-5055. [PMID: 34647545 DOI: 10.1039/d1ay01280k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
For the rapid quantitation of three synthetic cathinones, namely 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)pentan-1-one (4-Cl-α-PVP), 1-(4-methylphenyl)-2-(methylamino)pentan-1-one (4-MPD), and 1-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)pentan-1-one (β-TH-naphyrone), in urine, a new method was established using magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction (MDSPE) combined with direct analysis in real time and high-resolution mass spectrometry (DART-HRMS). Methcathinone-D3 and proadifen (SKF525A) were used as the internal standards. Hydrophobic magnetic adsorbents were used and consisted of hydrophobic functional group (divinylbenzene) and hydrophilic functional group (vinylpyrrolidone) at a ratio of 3 : 1, and NaH2PO4//NaOH buffer (0.2 M, pH 7) was used in MDSPE. Detection was conducted by DART-HRMS in less than 1 min. For 4-Cl-α-PVP, 4-MPD and β-TH-Naphyrone, the limits of detection were 0.1 ng mL-1, 0.05 ng mL-1 and 0.1 ng mL-1, and the linear ranges were 0.5-100 ng mL-1, 0.2-100 ng mL-1 and 0.2-100 ng mL-1, respectively. The correlation coefficients were all greater than 0.99. The precision and deviation of accuracy were all within ±15%, and the stability of the samples was high under various conditions. The method was successfully applied to detect 4-Cl-α-PVP, 4-MPD and β-TH-naphyrone in rat urine after subcutaneous administration. In summary, a fast and convenient detection method was established, providing new and effective technical support for the rapid quantitation of three synthetic cathinones (4-Cl-α-PVP, 4-MPD and β-TH-Naphyrone) for forensic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Li
- China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, State Key Laboratory of New Drug and Pharmaceutical Process, Shanghai 200040, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200083, China
| | - Ru Lian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200083, China
| | - Feiyu Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Shanghai 200083, China
| | - Zhiru Xu
- State Key Laboratory of New Drug and Pharmaceutical Process, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 200437, China
| | - Fangqi Cao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Research Institute of Criminal Science and Technology, Shanghai 200083, China
| | - Rong Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200083, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200083, China
| | - Yurong Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Crime Scene Evidence, Shanghai Institute of Forensic Science, Shanghai 200083, China
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10
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Pérez-Alcaraz A, Borrull F, Calull M, Aguilar C. Cathinones in urine samples: A review of recent advances for their determination by chromatographic and related techniques. Trends Analyt Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2021.116347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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11
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Kleis J, Hess C, Germerott T, Roehrich J. Sensitive Screening of New Psychoactive Substances in Serum Using Liquid-Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. J Anal Toxicol 2021; 46:592-599. [PMID: 34125215 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkab072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Analysis of new psychoactive substances (NPS) still pose a challenge for many institutions due to the number of available substances and the constantly changing drug market. Both new and well-known substances keep appearing and disappearing on the market, making it hard to adapt analytical methods in a timely manner. In this study we developed a qualitative screening approach for serum samples by means of liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). Samples were measured in data-dependent auto-MS/MS mode and identified by fragment spectra comparison, retention time and accurate mass. Approximately 500 NPS, including 195 synthetic cannabinoids, 180 stimulants, 86 hallucinogens, 26 benzodiazepines and 7 others were investigated. Serum samples were fortified to 1 ng/mL and 10 ng/mL concentrations to estimate approximate limits of identification. Samples were extracted using solid-phase extraction with non-endcapped C18 material and elution in two consecutive steps. Benzodiazepines were eluted in the first step, while substances of other NPS subclasses were distributed among both extracts. To determine limits of identification, both extracts were combined. 96 % (470/492) of investigated NPS were detected in 10 ng/mL samples and 88 % (432/492) were detected in 1 ng/mL samples. Stimulants stood out with higher limits of identification, possibly due to instability of certain methcathinone derivatives. However, considering relevant blood concentrations, the method provided sufficient sensitivity for stimulants as well as other NPS subclasses. Data-dependent acquisition was proven to provide high sensitivity and reliability when combined with an information-dependent preferred list, without losing its untargeted operation principle. Summarizing, the developed method fulfilled its purpose as a sensitive untargeted screening for serum samples and allows uncomplicated expansion of the spectral library to include thousands of targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kleis
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - C Hess
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - T Germerott
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - J Roehrich
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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