An analytical strategy for designer benzodiazepines and Z-hypnotics determination in plasma samples using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry after microextraction by packed sorbent

Determination of synthetic hallucinogens in oral fluids by microextraction by packed sorbent and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A fast and simple procedure based on microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been developed for the simultaneous quantification of 28 synthetic hallucinogens in oral fluids, including lysergic acid diethylamide and substances from NBOMe, NBOH, NBF, 2C, and substituted amphetamine categories. Extraction conditions such as type of sorbent, sample pH, number of charge/discharge cycles, and elution volume were studied. Hallucinogenic compounds were extracted from oral fluid samples using C18 MEPS, loading with 100 μL sample (adjusted to pH 7) in 3 cycles, washing with 100 μL deionized water, and eluting with 50 μL methanol in 1 cycle, giving quantitative recoveries and no significant matrix effects. Limits of detection from 0.09 to 1.22 μg L^-1; recoveries from 80 to 129% performed in spiked oral fluid samples at 20, 50, and 100 μg L^-1; and high precision with relative standard deviations lower than 9% were obtained. The proposed methodology was demonstrated to be appropriate for the simple and sensitive determination of NBOMe derivates and other synthetic hallucinogenic substances in oral fluid samples.

Detection, quantification and degradation kinetic for five benzodiazepines using VAUS-ME-SFO/LC-MS/MS method for water, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

Benzodiazepines can make victims more docile, they are frequently used in drug-facilitated crimes, such as robberies and sexual assaults. Therefore, it is essential to develop techniques for determining whether these chemicals are present in relation with illegal activity is crucial. Therefore, to determine the presence of five benzodiazepines (alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, and oxazepam) in water, alcoholic beverages, and non-alcoholic beverages, a simple and direct, miniaturized, and effective vortex assisted ultrasound based microextraction using solidification of floating organic droplets (VAUS-ME-SFO) in combination with LC-MS/MS was developed. 1-Undecanol and acetonitrile, respectively, served as the extractant and disperser solvents. Many other parameters affect the efficiency of the developed analytical procedure VAUS-ME-SFO/LC-MS/MS. These parameters were optimized using Plackett Burman Design and Central Composite Design to obtain reliable results. The optimum conditions for the extraction were: 10.0 mL of sample; 180 μL acetonitrile, as a dispersive solvent; 200 μL of 1-undecanol, as an extraction solvent; pH 7; 105 s of vortex agitation; 120 s of ultrasonication application and 3 min of centrifugation at 7000 rpm. The benzodiazepines were separated by a chromatographic separation technique carried out by a UPLC system consisting of a binary mobile phase. The solvent system comprises of 0.1% Formic acid in Milli-Q (Solvent A) and 0.1% Formic acid in ACN (Solvent B) with a gradient flow of 3.5 min total analysis time. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration curve was studied in the range of 0.124-7.810 ng mL^-1. The regression correlation coefficient (R²) value of all targeted analytes ranges from 0.993 to 0.999. The LOD and LOQ of VAUS-ME-SFO methods using LC-MS/MS analysis range from 0.316 to 0.968 ng mL^-1 and 1.055-3.277 ng mL^-1 respectively. The repeatability within a day varied from 0.6 to 3.5%, and the reproducibility across days varied from 2.2 to 6.3%. The recoveries ranges for water, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from 70.77 to 114.53%, 63.20-102.21% and 66.23-113.28% respectively. Further, the degradation kinetics was studied to establish the half-life of each targeted analyte in the matrix undertaken in the study. The water samples were classified based on their BDZs residues. This implies that the more health care and anthropogenic activity, the more the BDZs residue will be in water samples.

New Psychoactive Substances: Which Biological Matrix Is the Best for Clinical Toxicology Screening?

BACKGROUND

Every year, more new psychoactive substances (NPSs) emerge in the market of the drugs of abuse. NPSs belong to various chemical classes, such as synthetic cannabinoids, phenethylamines, opioids, and benzodiazepines. The detection of NPSs intake using different types of biological matrices is challenging for clinical toxicologists because of their structural diversity and the lack of information on their toxicokinetics, including their metabolic fate.

METHODS

PubMed-listed articles reporting mass spectrometry-based bioanalytical approaches for NPSs detection published during the past 5 years were identified and discussed. Furthermore, the pros and cons of using common biological matrices in clinical toxicology (CT) settings to screen for NPSs are highlighted in this review article.

RESULTS

Twenty-six articles presenting multianalyte screening methods for use in the field of CT were considered. The advantages and disadvantages of different biological matrices are discussed with a particular view of the different analytical tasks in CT, especially emergency toxicology. Finally, an outlook introduces the emerging trends in biosamples used in CT, such as the exhaled breath.

CONCLUSIONS

Blood and urine represent the most common biological matrices used in a CT setting; however, reports concerning NPSs detection in alternative matrices are also available. Noteworthy, the selection of the biological matrix must depend on the clinician's enquiry because the individual advantages and disadvantages must be considered.

Sensitive Screening of New Psychoactive Substances in Serum Using Liquid-Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

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.