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Macedo AA, Arantes LC, Pimentel DM, de Deus Melo T, Magalhães de Almeida Melo L, Alves de Barros W, Rocha CM, de Fátima Â, Pio Dos Santos WT. Comprehensive detection of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in forensic samples using carbon nanotube screen-printed electrodes. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2023; 15:5837-5845. [PMID: 37874181 DOI: 10.1039/d3ay01385e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a prevalent psychoactive substance recognized for its hallucinogenic properties, often encountered in blotter papers for illicit consumption. Given that LSD ranks among the most widely abused illicit drugs globally, its prompt identification in seized samples is vital for forensic investigations. This study presents, for the first time, an electrochemical screening method for detecting LSD in forensic samples, utilizing a multi-wall carbon nanotube screen-printed electrode (SPE-MWCNT). The LSD detection process was optimized on SPE-MWCNT in a phosphate buffer solution (0.1 mol L-1, pH 12.0) using square wave voltammetry (SWV). The combined use of SPE-MWCNT with SWV displayed robust stability in electrochemical responses for both qualitative (peak potential) and quantitative (peak current) LSD assessment, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 5% across the same or different electrodes (N = 3). A linear detection range was established between 0.16 and 40.0 μmol L-1 (R2 = 0.998), featuring a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.05 μmol L-1. Interference studies with twenty-three other substances, including groups of phenethylamines typically found in blotting papers (e.g., NBOHs and NBOMes) and traditional illicit drugs, were performed, revealing a highly selective response for LSD using the proposed method. Consequently, the integration of SPE-MWCNT with SWV offers a robust tool for qualitative and quantitative LSD analysis in forensic applications, providing rapid, sensitive, selective, reproducible, and straightforward preliminary identification in seized samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Alves Macedo
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Campus JK, Diamantina, 39100000, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Luciano C Arantes
- Laboratório de Química e Física Forense, Instituto de Criminalística, Polícia Civil do Distrito Federal, 70610-907, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Dilton Martins Pimentel
- Laboratório Integrado de Pesquisas do Vale do Jequitinhonha, Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, CampusJK, 39100000 Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Tifany de Deus Melo
- Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Campus JK, 39100000, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Larissa Magalhães de Almeida Melo
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Campus JK, Diamantina, 39100000, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Wellington Alves de Barros
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Mancilha Rocha
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ângelo de Fátima
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Wallans Torres Pio Dos Santos
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Campus JK, Diamantina, 39100000, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Laboratório Integrado de Pesquisas do Vale do Jequitinhonha, Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, CampusJK, 39100000 Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Herian M, Świt P. 25X-NBOMe compounds - chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. A comprehensive review. Crit Rev Toxicol 2023; 53:15-33. [PMID: 37115704 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2023.2194907] [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: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Recently, a growing number of reports have indicated a positive effect of hallucinogenic-based therapies in different neuropsychiatric disorders. However, hallucinogens belonging to the group of new psychoactive substances (NPS) may produce high toxicity. NPS, due to their multi-receptors affinity, are extremely dangerous for the human body and mental health. An example of hallucinogens that have been lately responsible for many severe intoxications and deaths are 25X-NBOMes - N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-substituted phenethylamines, synthetic compounds with strong hallucinogenic properties. 25X-NBOMes exhibit a high binding affinity to serotonin receptors but also to dopamine, adrenergic and histamine receptors. Apart from their influence on perception, many case reports point out systemic and neurological poisoning with these compounds. In humans, the most frequent side effects are tachycardia, anxiety, hypertension and seizures. Moreover, preclinical studies confirm that 25X-NBOMes cause developmental impairments, cytotoxicity, cardiovascular toxicity and changes in behavior of animals. Metabolism of NBOMes seems to be very complex and involves many metabolic pathways. This fact may explain the observed high toxicity. In addition, many analytical methods have been applied in order to identify these compounds and their metabolites. The presented review summarized the current knowledge about 25X-NBOMes, especially in the context of toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Herian
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paweł Świt
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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Affiliation(s)
- David Love
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, USA
| | - Nicole S. Jones
- RTI International, Applied Justice Research Division, Center for Forensic Sciences, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 22709-2194, USA
- 70113 Street, N.W., Suite 750, Washington, DC, 20005-3967, USA
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Hirschfeld T, Smit-Rigter L, van der Gouwe D, Reiche S, Stöver H, Majić T. Safer Tripping: Serotonergic Psychedelics and Drug Checking. Submission and Detection Rates, Potential Harms, and Challenges for Drug Analysis. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40429-021-00385-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
With the continuous emergence of new psychoactive substances, drug checking (DC) services are challenged by an increasingly complex drug market. Considering the resumed scientific and public interest in serotonergic psychedelics (SPs) like LSD, psilocybin, and 2C-B, we present the results of a literature search investigating the presence and proportion of SPs in DC samples.
Recent Findings
In 15 identified reports, submission and detection rates of SPs were comparably low, but increasing. Samples contained considerable amounts of adulterations or analogues, mostly novel SPs with unknown toxicological profiles and in some cases potentially life-threatening effects. The detection of SPs, however, requires advanced analysis techniques currently not available to most DC services.
Summary
Given the substantial proportion of novel SPs in DC samples and the associated risks, DC can be a valuable harm reduction and monitoring tool for SPs if analysis techniques with high sensitivity are employed.
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Paing HW, Bryant TJ, Quarles CD, Marcus RK. Coupling of Laser Ablation and the Liquid Sampling-Atmospheric Pressure Glow Discharge Plasma for Simultaneous, Comprehensive Mapping: Elemental, Molecular, and Spatial Analysis. Anal Chem 2020; 92:12622-12629. [PMID: 32856899 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c02677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The spatial distributions of elemental and molecular species are vital pieces of information for a broad number of applications such as material development and bio/environmental analysis. There is currently no single analytical method that can simultaneously acquire elemental, molecular, and spatial information from a single sample. This paper presents the coupling of an NWR213 laser ablation (LA) system to the liquid sampling-atmospheric pressure glow discharge (LS-APGD) microplasma for combined atomic and molecular (CAM) analysis. The work demonstrates a fundamental balance that must be considered between the extent of fragmentation of molecules and ionization of atoms for CAM analysis. Detailed studies showed that the interelectrode gap to be a critical parameter for controlling the ionization efficiency of atomic and molecular species. Utilizing Design-of-Experiment (DoE) procedures, the discharge current was also found to be a significant parameter to control. Elemental lead, caffeine, and simultaneous lead and caffeine analysis via LA-LS-APGD-MS was made possible through improved understanding of the influence of plasma parameters on the product mass spectra of laser-ablated particles. Finally, a chemical map of elemental lead and molecular caffeine, from lead nitrate and caffeine residues, was generated, demonstrating the comprehensive mapping capabilities of LA-LS-APGD-MS. The practical relevance of the capabilities is demonstrated by mapping glutamic acid from a cryosectioned chicken breast with a thallium spike deposited within the tissue. It is believed that the LA-LS-APGD-MS could be a valuable methodology for the simultaneous mapping of elemental and molecular species from a variety of samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Htoo W Paing
- Department of Chemistry, Biosystems Research Complex, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
| | - Tyler J Bryant
- Department of Chemistry, Biosystems Research Complex, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
| | - C Derrick Quarles
- Elemental Scientific, Inc., 7277 World Communications Dr., Omaha, Nebraska 68122, United States
| | - R Kenneth Marcus
- Department of Chemistry, Biosystems Research Complex, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
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