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Bavlovič Piskáčková H, Nemeškalová A, Kučera R, Pedersen-Bjergaard S, Najmanová V, Štěrbová-Kovaříková P, Kuchař M, Sýkora D. Advanced microextraction techniques for the analysis of amphetamines in human breast milk and their comparison with conventional methods. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2021; 210:114549. [PMID: 34998075 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2021.114549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Breast milk analysis provides useful information about acute newborn exposure to harmful substances, such as psychoactive drugs abused by a nursing mother. Since breast milk represents a complex matrix with large amounts of interfering compounds, a comprehensive sample pre-treatment is necessary. This work focuses on determination of amphetamines and synthetic cathinones in human breast milk by microextraction techniques (liquid-phase microextraction and electromembrane extraction), and their comparison to more conventional treatment methods (protein precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction, and salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction). The aim of this work was to optimize and validate all the extraction procedures and thoroughly assess their advantages and disadvantages with special regard to their routine clinical use. The applicability of the extractions was further verified by the analysis of six real samples collected from breastfeeding mothers suspected of amphetamine abuse. The membrane microextraction techniques turned out to be the most advantageous as they required low amounts of organic solvents but still provided efficient sample clean-up, excellent quantification limit (0.5 ng mL-1), and good recovery (81-91% and 40-89% for electromembrane extraction and liquid-phase microextraction, respectively). The traditional liquid-liquid extraction as well as the salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction showed comparable recoveries (41-85% and 63-88%, respectively), but higher quantification limits (2.5 ng mL-1 and 5 ng mL-1, respectively). Moreover, these methods required multiple operating steps and were time consuming. Protein precipitation was fast and simple, but it demonstrated poor sample clean-up, low recovery (56-58%) and high quantification limit (5 ng mL-1). Based on the overall results, microextraction methods can be considered promising candidates, even for routine laboratory use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Bavlovič Piskáčková
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Alžběta Nemeškalová
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic; Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Radim Kučera
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Stig Pedersen-Bjergaard
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, P.O.Box 1068 Blindern, 0316, Oslo, Norway; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Věra Najmanová
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Ke Karlovu 2, 121 08 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Štěrbová-Kovaříková
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kuchař
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic; National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - David Sýkora
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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Alternative matrices in forensic toxicology: a critical review. Forensic Toxicol 2021; 40:1-18. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-021-00596-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
The use of alternative matrices in toxicological analyses has been on the rise in clinical and forensic settings. Specimens alternative to blood and urine are useful in providing additional information regarding drug exposure and analytical benefits. The goal of this paper is to present a critical review on the most recent literature regarding the application of six common alternative matrices, i.e., oral fluid, hair, sweat, meconium, breast milk and vitreous humor in forensic toxicology.
Methods
The recent literature have been searched and reviewed for the characteristics, advantages and limitations of oral fluid, hair, sweat, meconium, breast milk and vitreous humor and its applications in the analysis of traditional drugs of abuse and novel psychoactive substances (NPS).
Results
This paper outlines the properties of six biological matrices that have been used in forensic analyses, as alternatives to whole blood and urine specimens. Each of this matrix has benefits in regards to sampling, extraction, detection window, typical drug levels and other aspects. However, theses matrices have also limitations such as limited incorporation of drugs (according to physical–chemical properties), impossibility to correlate the concentrations for effects, low levels of xenobiotics and ultimately the need for more sensitive analysis. For more traditional drugs of abuse (e.g., cocaine and amphetamines), there are already data available on the detection in alternative matrices. However, data on the determination of emerging drugs such as the NPS in alternative biological matrices are more limited.
Conclusions
Alternative biological fluids are important specimens in forensic toxicology. These matrices have been increasingly reported over the years, and this dynamic will probably continue in the future, especially considering their inherent advantages and the possibility to be used when blood or urine are unavailable. However, one should be aware that these matrices have limitations and particular properties, and the findings obtained from the analysis of these specimens may vary according to the type of matrix. As a potential perspective in forensic toxicology, the topic of alternative matrices will be continuously explored, especially emphasizing NPS.
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Application of microextraction techniques in alternative biological matrices with focus on forensic toxicology: a review. Bioanalysis 2020; 13:45-64. [PMID: 33326299 DOI: 10.4155/bio-2020-0241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The interest in alternative biological matrices (e.g., hair and saliva) for forensic toxicology analysis has increased, and recent developments in sample preparation have targeted rapid, cheap, efficient and eco-friendly methods, including microextraction techniques. For this review, we have gathered information about these two hot topics. We discuss the composition, incorporation of analytes and advantages and disadvantages of different biological matrices, and also present the operation principles of the most reported microextraction procedures and their application in forensic toxicology. The outcome of this review may encourage future forensic researches into alternative samples and microextraction techniques.
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