TY - JOUR
T1 - A rapid method for the extraction, enantiomeric separation and quantification of amphetamines in hair.
AU - Strano Rossi, Sabina
AU - Botrè, Francesco
AU - Bermejo, Ana
AU - Tabernero, M. Jesus
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - This paper presents a rapid and sensitive method for the determination and chiral separation of amphetamines and related designer drugs in hair samples. The substances are extracted from hair matrix by a 30 min treatment with a saturated carbonate buffer at pH 10 under ultrasonication. A commercial chiral derivatizating agent, trifluoroacetyl-prolyl chloride, is then added to the solution that is directly extracted with hexane and subsequently analysed by GC/MS in SIM mode. R and S isomers of amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDA, MDMA and MDEA can be separated and detected with a limit of detection of 0.1 ng/mg for amphetamine, methamphetamine and MDA, and of 0.2 ng/mg for MDMA and MDEA. The method was then applied to twelve samples from suspected amphetamines abusers, showing the presence of both isomers of amphetamine and MDMA in one sample (27 and 1.5 ng/mg, respectively) and of MDMA in further eight samples, in concentrations ranging from traces to 2.7 ng/mg. No differences were observed in the disposition of different isomers in hair.
AB - This paper presents a rapid and sensitive method for the determination and chiral separation of amphetamines and related designer drugs in hair samples. The substances are extracted from hair matrix by a 30 min treatment with a saturated carbonate buffer at pH 10 under ultrasonication. A commercial chiral derivatizating agent, trifluoroacetyl-prolyl chloride, is then added to the solution that is directly extracted with hexane and subsequently analysed by GC/MS in SIM mode. R and S isomers of amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDA, MDMA and MDEA can be separated and detected with a limit of detection of 0.1 ng/mg for amphetamine, methamphetamine and MDA, and of 0.2 ng/mg for MDMA and MDEA. The method was then applied to twelve samples from suspected amphetamines abusers, showing the presence of both isomers of amphetamine and MDMA in one sample (27 and 1.5 ng/mg, respectively) and of MDMA in further eight samples, in concentrations ranging from traces to 2.7 ng/mg. No differences were observed in the disposition of different isomers in hair.
KW - Amphetamines, Designer drugs, Hair analysis, Chiral separation, Forensic Toxicology.
KW - Amphetamines, Designer drugs, Hair analysis, Chiral separation, Forensic Toxicology.
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10807/11713
UR - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/s0379073809004009
U2 - 10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.09.016
DO - 10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.09.016
M3 - Article
VL - 2009
SP - 95
EP - 100
JO - Forensic Science International
JF - Forensic Science International
SN - 0379-0738
ER -