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Tseng LP, Lan YS, Lee YH, Lee YC, Chou YC, Lee HH, Chang MY, Liang SS, Lin YC. Optimizing analytical precision in the identification of synthetic cathinones and isomers: a comparative assessment of diverse GC-MS operating parameters. ANAL SCI 2024:10.1007/s44211-024-00572-0. [PMID: 38649628 DOI: 10.1007/s44211-024-00572-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Analyzing new psychoactive substances (NPSs) in forensic laboratories present a formidable challenge globally. Within illicit drug analysis, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) emerges as a robust analytical tool. This study endeavors to assess and compare peak resolution in the analysis of illicit drugs, specifically focusing on 21 synthetic cathinones, encompassing 9 cathinone isomers. Varied GC-MS operating conditions, including distinct GC-MS columns and thermal gradients, were systematically employed for the simultaneous analysis of these synthetic cathinones. The study utilized HP-1 nonpolar and HP-5MS low-bleed columns to achieve optimal analyte resolution through modulation of GC-MS oven conditions. Mass spectra were meticulously recorded within a mass-to-charge (m/z) range spanning from 40 to 500 in full scan mode. The data showed that the cathinone isomers slightly differed in retention times and mass spectra. The GC oven conditions affected the peak resolution for chromatographic separation even with the same column. The peak resolution improved using a slower thermal gradient heat speed with a prolonged analysis time. Conclusively, the interplay of GC columns and thermal gradients emerged as pivotal factors impacting peak resolution in the analysis of illicit drugs. These empirical insights contribute to a nuanced understanding of peak resolution dynamics and facilitate the identification of synthetic cathinones, including their isomers, in seized materials through the judicious application of GC-MS methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ping Tseng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, #100, Tz-You 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yung-Sheng Lan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, #100, Tz-You 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yung-Hung Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, #100, Tz-You 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Cheng Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, #100, Tz-You 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Cheng Chou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, #100, Tz-You 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hei-Hwa Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, #100, Tz-You 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Mei-Ying Chang
- Department of Photonics, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Shin Liang
- Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ching Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, #100, Tz-You 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan, ROC.
- 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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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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