Simultaneous identification and quantitation of codeine and morphine in urine by capillary gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy

Naked-Eye Detection of Morphine by Au@Ag Nanoparticles-Based Colorimetric Chemosensors

In this study, we report a novel and facile colorimetric assay based on silver citrate-coated Au@Ag nanoparticles (Au@AgNPs) as a chemosensor for the naked-eye detection of morphine (MOR). The developed optical sensing approach relied on the aggregation of Au@Ag NPs upon exposure to morphine, which led to an evident color variation from light-yellow to brown. Au@Ag NPs have been prepared by two different protocols, using high- and low-power ultrasonic irradiation. The sonochemical method was essential for the sensing properties of the resulting nanoparticles. This facile sensing method has several advantages including excellent stability, selectivity, prompt detection, and cost-effectiveness.

Detection of morphine in urine based on a surface plasmon resonance imaging immunoassay

Based on the surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) technique, a new detection method for morphine in urine samples was developed. Sample labelling was not required, and qualitative and quantitative analysis could be completed in 20 minutes. According to an indirect competitive immunoassay, the mixture of morphine at different concentrations and morphine antibody at a certain concentration as the mobile phase was reacted with morphine BSA fixed on a chip surface in a competitive way. A calibration curve was obtained by correlating the signals generated from SPRi with the concentrations of morphine. By the addition of morphine to a blank urine sample, this method was confirmed to be feasible for the detection of morphine in actual urine. The limit of detection was as low as 9.59 ng mL-1. This method is fast and sensitive and can be applied in many fields.

Optimization of morphine extraction method for the assay of its urinary 3-glucuronideconjuguate by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

In the field of doping, a great interest is carried for the analysis of morphine, a powerful narcotic analgesic opiate which use is prohibited during competitions. In order to confirm the abnormal analytical result in our anti-doping laboratory, a sensitive and selective gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was performed for the quantification of urinary morphine. As sample preparation is a key step for the determination of drugs in biological samples, the aim of this work consists of the optimization of the urinary human sample pretreatment conditions before quantification by GC/MS. Enzymatic hydrolysis associated with liquid-liquid extraction constitute the major pre-treatment steps. Our study has first focused on the optimization of the extraction solvents then to enzymatic hydrolysis which morphine is released from its glucuronide conjugated form. Onboard premiums, a study involving the effect of "amount of enzyme", "incubation temperature" and "duration of hydrolysis" was conducted. This univariate study has enabled us to evaluate the influence of each of these operating variables on the area ratio of morphine to the internal standard (A_morphine/A_IS) response and to set the experimental fields for each one of them. Based on these results, an experimental design was established using the Box-Behnken model to determine, by multivariate analysis, the optimal operating conditions maximizing the "A_mophine/A_IS" response. After validation, the analysis of response surface makes it possible to set the optimum operating conditions, which the ratio "A_morphine/A_IS" is maximized. The retained conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis are 160μl of Escherichia coli glucuronidase enzyme during 6hours of incubation at a temperature of 36°C. The solvent mixture Methyl-t-Butyl Ether/isopropanol (4:1, v/v) was selected since it has improved morphine extraction from the urinary matrix allowing a gain of 50% when compared to that used in our routine laboratory. Our developed extraction method can be successfully applied for our forensic anti-doping analysis of morphin in human sample urine.

Improved identification of multiple drugs of abuse and relative metabolites in urine samples using liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry coupled with a library search

RATIONALE

Although two multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions per compound are used for identification performed using liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC/QqQ-MS/MS), differences in identification criteria among several regulations may lead to misidentification. We demonstrated that the use of two MRM transitions and product ion spectra improves compound identification.

METHODS

The scan cycle time was reduced using time-scheduled MRM (tMRM), data-dependent product ion scanning, and dynamic exclusion. The quantification and identification performance for 13 drugs of abuse and their metabolites were evaluated.

RESULTS

Deuterated internal standards compensated for ion suppression. All analytes exhibited intra- and interday precision <12.11%, accuracy of -10.31% to +10.10%, and no carryover. The LC/QqQ-MS/MS and reference gas chromatography/MS methods were equally precise, accurate, and specific. Several regulatory organizations include two MRM transitions, their ratio, and retention time as identification criteria. In 28 samples, the relative ion ratio variation was >10% and product ion spectral matches with >94% probabilities improved drug and metabolite identification.

CONCLUSIONS

The LC/QqQ-MS/MS method is a comprehensive assay in which tMRM and the product ion scan are combined in a single run by using a QqQ mass analyzer to simultaneously quantify amphetamine, ketamine, morphine, and their relative metabolites in urine. The proposed method can be applied in forensic science.

Poppy seed foods and opiate drug testing--where are we today?

Seeds of the opium poppy plant are legally sold and widely consumed as food. Due to contamination during harvesting, the seeds can contain morphine and other opiate alkaloids. The objective of this study is to review the toxicology of poppy seed foods regarding influence on opiate drug tests. Computer-assisted literature review resulted in 95 identified references. Normal poppy seed consumption is generally regarded as safe. During food processing, the morphine content is considerably reduced (up to 90%). The possibility of false-positive opiate drug tests after poppy food ingestion exists. There are no unambiguous markers available to differentiate poppy food ingestion from heroin or pharmaceutical morphine use. This is also a problem in heroin-assisted maintenance programs. A basic requirement in such substitution programs is the patients' abstinence from any other drugs, including additional illicit heroin. Also a lack of forensic ingestion trials was detected that consider all factors influencing the morphine content in biologic matrices after consumption. Most studies did not control for the losses during food processing, so that the initial morphine dosage was overestimated. The large reduction of the morphine content during past years raises questions about the validity of the "poppy seed defence." However, a threshold of food use that would not lead to positive drug tests with certainty is currently unavailable. Research is needed to prove if the morphine contents in today's foods still pose the possibility of influencing drug tests. Future trials should consider processing-related morphine losses.

Morphine and its metabolites: Analytical methodologies for its determination

The present article reviews the methods of determination published for morphine and its metabolites covering the period from 1980 until at the first part of 2006. The overview includes the most relevant analytical determinations classified in the following two types: (1) non-chromatographic methods and (2) chromatographic methods.

Optimizing the hydrolysis of codeine and morphine glucuronides in urine

Quality assurance data show that there is very significant inter-laboratory variation of the quantitation of codeine, especially in patient samples. The authors have examined hydrolysis procedures for codeine glucuronide (C6G) and morphine-3- and -6-glucuronides (M3G, M6G) because these are often present together in urine samples. Comparisons of hydrolysis using two different sources of beta-glucuronidases and various concentrations of hydrochloric acid were made. Samples were concentrated using solid phase extraction, derivatized and quantified by selective ion monitoring using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). and beta-glucuronidase efficiently hydrolyzed M3G (90-95%), while hydrolysis of M6G was lower (60-85%) and that of C6G was very poor (45-58%). These findings were confirmed on examination of urine samples containing codeine and morphine from subjects who had taken codeine, morphine, or heroin. Erratic inter-laboratory quality assurance results for codeine are most probably a result of incomplete C6G hydrolysis. The authors' optimized hydrolysis method using 50% HCl for 1.5 hours at 120 degrees C gave reproducible results that approached the spiked concentration.

Column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for identification of heroin metabolites in human urine

In order to prove heroin (DAM) use, a simple, rapid and sensitive analytical method has been established by combining semi-microcolumn HPLC, a column switching technique and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Urine samples were directly introduced to the system, and endogenous urinary constituents were removed by using on-line column switching solid-phase extraction with a strong cation-exchange (SCX) cartridge column (2.0 mm I.D. x 10 mm). Heroin and its metabolites enriched on the top of the column were then successfully analyzed with excellent separation by use of a SCX semi-microcolumn (1.5 mm I.D. x 150 mm), accompanied by ESI mass spectral detection. The proposed conditions are as follows: mobile phase, 10 mM ammonium acetate (pH 6.0)-acetonitrile (30:70, v/v) (for main separation) and 30 mM ammonium acetate (for trapping); flow-rates, 120 microl/min (for main separation) and 200 microl/min (for trapping); capillary voltage, +4.5 kV; cone voltage, 50 V. Linear calibration curves were obtained in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode using protonated molecular ions (m/z 370 for DAM, m/z 328 for MAM and m/z 286 for MOR) over the concentration ranges from 10 to 1000 ng/ml for morphine (MOR) and 1-100 ng/ml for DAM and 6-acetylmorphine (MAM). The detection limits were 0.1-3 ng/ml. Upon applying the scan mode, 2-30 ng/ml were the detection limits. The present HPLC-ESI-MS method was successfully applied to the determination of opiates in users' urine samples.

Detection of Acetylcodeine in Urine as an Indicator of Illicit Heroin Use: Method Validation and Results of a Pilot Study

Background: Acetylcodeine (AC), an impurity of illicit heroin synthesis, has been suggested as an interesting biomarker of illicit heroin use.

Methods: Procedures were developed for quantification of (a) morphine, 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-AM), and codeine in urine and (b) diacetylmorphine and AC in urine. Solid-phase extraction of the analytes was performed, and the extracted analytes were analyzed by selected-ion monitoring with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. This procedure required prior derivatization with propionic anhydride.

Results: Different validation parameters were determined, such as linearity, reproducibility, extraction recoveries, and cutoffs. Seventy-one urine specimens of illicit heroin abusers and 44 urine specimens of subjects in a heroin maintenance program were analyzed. AC was detected in 85.9% of the samples of the first group but not in any of the samples from subjects taking medical heroin. In the two groups, there were 94.4% and 84.1% 6-AM positive urine specimens, respectively. Detection times were determined for AC and codeine by parallel administration of heroin containing various percentages of AC to four voluntary patients in a heroin maintenance program. The measured detection times were 8 and 23 h for AC and codeine, respectively.

Conclusions: These results indicate that, together with detection of 6-AM in urine, AC is a suitable marker of illicit heroin use.

Violent injuries among women in an urban area

BACKGROUND

Although the rate of death from injuries due to violent acts is much higher among black women than among white women in the United States, little is known about the nature and correlates of violent injuries among black women living in urban areas.

METHODS

In this case-control study conducted at three emergency departments in one inner-city community (in west Philadelphia), we studied 405 adolescent girls and women who had been intentionally injured and 520 adolescent girls and women (control subjects) who had health problems not related to violent injury. Data were collected by conducting standardized interviews with use of questionnaires and by screening urine for illicit drugs. Individual logistic-regression models were constructed to identify factors associated with violent injuries inflicted by partners and those inflicted by persons other than the partners of the victims.

RESULTS

The male partners of the injured women were much more likely than the male partners of control subjects to use cocaine (odds ratio, 4.4; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.3 to 8.4) and to have been arrested in the past (odds ratio, 3.1; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.8 to 5.2). Fifty-three percent of violent injuries to the women had been perpetrated by persons other than their partners. Women's use of illicit drugs and alcohol abuse were factors associated with both violence on the part of partners and violence on the part of other persons. Neighborhood characteristics, including low median income, a high rate of change of residence, and poor education, were independently associated with the risk of violent injuries among women.

CONCLUSIONS

Women in this urban, low-income community face violence from both partners and other persons. Substance abuse, particularly cocaine use, is a significant correlate of violent injuries. Standard Census data may help identify neighborhoods where women are at high risk for such violence and that would benefit from community-level interventions.

False-positive EMIT II opiates from ofloxacin

The cross-reactivities of four quinolone antibiotics--ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and nalidixic acid--toward the EMIT II Opiates enzyme immunoassay were examined. Drug-free urine was spiked with the individual drugs up to 5,000 mg/L. Only ofloxacin showed potential for causing a false-positive opiates immunoassay screening result (apparent morphine > 300 micrograms/L). The method produced a positive opiate result at an ofloxacin concentration of 200 mg/L, a 0.16% cross-reactivity. Three hospitalized patients taking therapeutic doses of ofloxacin all gave false-positive EMIT II Opiates urine screening results. Three patients taking norfloxacin and three patients taking ciprofloxacin gave true-negative urine screening results. False-positive results were also obtained from the urines of two volunteers who each consumed a single 400-mg ofloxacin pill.

Screening for drugs of abuse. I: Opiates, amphetamines and cocaine

(1) In order to provide an efficient and reliable service for drugs of abuse screening in urine, the laboratory should analyse 20-30 samples per week, and the staff should include a scientist with special expertise in the subject. (2) Turnaround times should be between 2-3 days of sample collection. To achieve this aim it may be necessary to make special arrangements for the delivery of samples to the laboratory. Results should preferably be transmitted by electronic mail or facsimile with the necessary precautions for security and confidentiality: hardcopy reports may also be required. (3) Good communications between the requesting clinician and the laboratory are essential. An advisory service should be provided by the laboratory and clinicians should be encouraged to discuss requests and results with laboratory staff. It is important that the laboratory inform doctors of the range of substances detected and the sensitivity and specificity of laboratory assays. (4) Assays should be performed according to the manufacturer's protocols, or by modified methods that have been rigorously validated. Quality control samples should be included in each analytical run and participation in an external quality assessment scheme, e.g. UKNEQAS, is essential to provide independent confirmation and confidence that results compare with those from other laboratories. Other requirements include adequate training and supervision of staff, and careful recording of samples and results. (5) Drugs to be tested will depend on the drug 'scene' in the area but should include those drugs regularly prescribed for maintenance therapy (e.g. methadone, dihydrocodeine, benzodiazepines), and drugs frequently misused (e.g. heroin, buprenorphine, amphetamines, cocaine). (6) Positive results obtained by preliminary screening methods e.g. EMIT, should be confirmed by another analytical technique, e.g. TLC, GC or GC-MS. If there are potentially serious or legal implications, and in employment and preemployment testing, confirmation of positive results is mandatory. In some cases, e.g. checking for methadone or benzodiazepine compliance, it may be considered unnecessary to confirm positive results although possible spiking of samples cannot be excluded without checking for the presence of metabolites by a chromatographic procedure.

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric procedures used for the identification and determination of morphine, codeine and 6-monoacetylmorphine

An overview of the analysis of opiates by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is presented. The review is focused on the hydrolysis, extraction and derivatization procedures most widely used for the identification and determination by GC-MS of legal and illegal opiates in various biological fluids.

Confirmatory tests for drugs in the workplace by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs require the use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the confirmation of presumptive positive urine specimens. This review focuses upon GC-MS methods developed specifically for forensic confirmation of amphetamine, methamphetamine, 11-nor-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (THC-acid), benzoylecgonine, morphine, codeine and phencyclidine in urine for purposes of workplace drug testing. In addition, current laboratory issues pertaining to each drug class are reviewed. Generally, drug assays utilized either liquid-liquid or solid-phase extraction methods, derivatization if necessary, and GC-MS detection operating in the selected ion monitoring mode or by full scan acquisition.

Evaluation of a method for simultaneous quantification of codeine, dihydrocodeine, morphine, and 6-monoacetylmorphine in serum, blood, and postmortem blood

A solid-phase extraction and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for the simultaneous determination of codeine, dihydrocodeine, morphine, and 6-monoacetylmorphine in serum, blood or postmortem blood is described. The extraction technique allows the determination of free or total morphine (morphine plus morphine glucuronide). Experiments with spiked blood samples resulted in recoveries of 96.4% +/- 4.2% for codeine, 95.8% +/- 5.1% for dihydrocodeine, 90.3% +/- 7.8% for 6-monoacetylmorphine and 92.5% +/- 8.1% for morphine. Excellent linearity was obtained over the range 1-1500 ng/mL. The detection limit for all analytes is less than 1 ng/mL.

Systematic toxicological analysis of drugs and their metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) procedures for the systematic toxicological analysis of several categories of drugs relevant to clinical toxicology, forensic toxicology and doping control are reviewed. Papers from 1981 to 1991 are taken into consideration. They describe the detection of acute or chronic intoxication and the detection of drug abuse. Screening procedures are included for the following categories: barbiturates and other sedative-hypnotics, anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, phenothiazine and butyrophenone neuroleptics, central stimulants (amphetamines, cocaine), hallucinogens (LSD, phencyclidine, tetrahydrocannabinol), opioid (narcotic) and other potent analgesics, non-opioid analgesics, antihistamines (histamine H1-receptor blockers), antiparkinsonian drugs, beta-blockers (beta-adrenoceptor blockers), antiarrhythmics (class I and IV), diuretics, laxatives and their metabolites. Methods for confirmation of results obtained by screening procedures using immunoassay or chromatographic techniques are also included. GC-MS procedures for the simultaneous detection of several categories of drugs, the so-called "general unknown analysis", are reviewed. The toxicological question to be answered and the consequence for the choice of an adequate method, the sample preparation and the chromatography itself are discussed. The basic information about the biosample assayed, work-up, GC column, mass spectral detection mode, reference data and sensitivity of each procedure are summarized in tables, arranged according to the category of drug. Examples of typical GC-MS applications are presented. Fragment ions that are suitable for mass spectral screening for particular categories of drugs and for general unknown are tabulated.

Rapid assay of cocaine, opiates and metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The simultaneous assay of cocaine, opiates and metabolites in small biological samples continues to be a difficult task. This report focuses upon tabulation of important techniques (extraction, derivatization, chromatographic conditions, detection mode, data acquisition) reported over the last decade that were used in the development of assays for these analytes. The most prevalent procedures for extraction of cocaine, opiates and metabolites were liquid-liquid and solid-phase extraction isolation methods. Following extraction analytes were derivatized and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The technique most often used for chromatographic separation was fused-silica capillary column gas chromatography. Detection generally was performed by selected ion monitoring in the positive-ion electron-impact ionization mode, although full-scan acquisition and positive- and negative-ion chemical ionization methods have been used. It was apparent from the review that there is a continuing need for greater sensitivity and selectivity in the assay of highly potent opiates and for cocaine and metabolites.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of morphine, morphine-3-glucuronide, morphine-6-glucuronide and codeine in biological samples using multi-wavelength forward optical detection

An isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of morphine, morphine-3-glucuronide, morphine-6-glucuronide and codeine in plasma, urine and cerebrospinal fluid. The use of an efficient solid-phase extraction procedure together with a forward optical scanning detector allows a detection limit of 500 pg/ml. The method was evaluated by examination of biological samples taken from newborn infants following the intravenous administration of morphine sulfate.

Urinary concentrations of codeine and morphine after the administration of different codeine preparations in relation to doping analysis

A capillary GC method with nitrogen-specific detection is described for the analysis of codeine and morphine in urine. Both drugs were determined after enzymatic hydrolysis of the urine. Morphine was derivatized with trifluoroacetic anhydride. For 5-ml samples of urine, the lower detection limits for accurate quantitation were 50 ng ml-1 and 100 ng ml-1 for morphine and codeine, respectively. Both codeine and morphine were already detectable in urine 1 h after the intake of the analgesic preparation Perdolan. Codeine excretion and concentration peaked 2 h after administration of a dose. The percentage of the dose excreted as codeine was 3.0-6.2%. Administration of the antitussive preparation Bisolvon Griblettes resulted in detectable codeine and morphine levels for at least one day; 5.6-9% was excreted as total codeine over 24 h, the conjugated metabolite morphine accounting for 1.7-7.4% of the dose. Nearly the same amounts of codeine and morphine were excreted after administration of the antitussive syrup Bronchodine. The maximum excretion rate of codeine occurred after 1 h. Generally codeine and morphine remained detectable for 12 h. The results of these administration studies are discussed in relation to the codeine and morphine threshold levels recently introduced by the International Cyclist Union.

Simultaneous detection and quantitation of O6-monoacetylmorphine, morphine and codeine in urine by gas chromatography with nitrogen specific and/or flame ionization detection

It is of importance to differentiate heroin intake from the absorption of opiate-containing pharmaceuticals or opiates from other sources. A method for the routine determination of O6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM), the specific metabolite of heroin in human urine, by gas chromatography and classical detectors without having recourse to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry-selected ion mode (GC/MS-SIM) is described. With dual detection by nitrogen selective and flame ionization detectors, the limits of detection for 6-MAM were determined to be 2 ng/mL and 4 ng/mL urine for a 10 mL sample. When applied to urines preliminarily screened for opiates, the results appeared consistent in comparison with those obtained by GC/MS-SIM. The method was also developed for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of morphine and codeine. The linearity was tested up to 600 ng/mL for the three compounds of interest 6-MAM, morphine and codeine and their absolute recoveries were 76%, 78%, 75% respectively.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of morphine in biological samples: an overview of separation methods and detection techniques

High-performance liquid chromatogrpahy with electrochemical detection at present suits most of the needs of toxicologists for the determination of morphine and some related compounds in biological samples, although fluorescence detection is still a useful alternative. Chemiluminescence detection may be promising, but needs further optimization of its coupling with HPLC to give the best performances. Morphine detection by absorbance spectrophotometry does not seem to allow the degree of sensitivity and selectivity from matrix interferences that is required in most instances. However, this approach is useful when morphine congeners undetectable by alternative means (i.e., heroin and morphine-3-glucuronide) are to be determined or when a general toxicological screening is required.

Simultaneous identification and quantification of several opiates and derivatives by capillary gas chromatography and nitrogen selective detection

A capillary column gas chromatographic method is described for the simultaneous determination of morphine, codeine, heroin, 3- and 6-monoacetylmorphine, nalorphine, naloxone, ethylmorphine, and naltrexone. The drugs were extracted from 2 ml plasma, urine, or other biological samples, including tissue under alkaline conditions in chloroform-isopropanol-n-heptane (50:17:33, v/v), with levallorphan as an internal standard. The drugs were extracted into acid and then reextracted into chloroform after the acid had been alkalinized. After derivatization with trifluoroacetic anhydride, an aliquot was injected into a 25m capillary column equipped with a nitrogen phosphorus detector. The lower limits of detectability, extraction recovery, and the within-run and day-to-day precision of results were determined for each drug. Our results indicate that the procedure is suitable for use in overdose screening and therapeutic drug monitoring.

[Comparative morphine determination in parts of the brain using combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A possibility for assessing survival time]

Comparison of the morphine concentrations in the medulla oblongata and the cerebellum provides information on the interval between morphine administration and death. If this period is short, the ratio of CMed:CCereb is below 1. The ratio is above 1 if a number of hours have passed at least. The balance of the morphine concentrations is achieved within a few hours. Results have been achieved by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis in about 100 autopsy cases.

Identification of opiates in urine by capillary column gas chromatography of two different derivatives

A capillary gas chromatographic method is described for the identification and confirmation of morphine, codeine, ethylmorphine and 6-monoacetylmorphine in urine. The method was useful for forensic purposes, as morphine and 6-monoacetylmorphine could be measured together with the legal drugs codeine and ethylmorphine. The legal non-prescription drug pholcodine could be detected together with the metabolites normorphine and norcodeine. After extraction and evaporation the opiates were derivatized with either N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide or pentafluoropropionic anhydride, and both types of derivative were chromatographed on a non-polar capillary column with a nitrogen-phosphorus selective detector. The use of two chemically different derivatives was found to be necessary for the unequivocal identification of all opiates of interest, which were not all separated as a single derivative. If a mixture of opiates was subjected to the two different derivatization agents, the derivatives were eluted in a different order. This improved considerably the selectivity of opiate analysis in urine. Particularly difficult samples would require mass spectrometric confirmation.