Top

Published in:

01-01-2020 | Short Communication

A low-voltage paper spray ionization QTOF-MS method for the qualitative analysis of NPS in street drug blotter samples

Authors: Letícia Birk, Sarah Eller Franco de Oliveira, Gabriela Mafra, Rafael Brognoli, Marcos Jose Souza Carpes, Daniel Scolmeister, Eduardo Carasek, Josias de Oliveira Merib, Tiago Franco de Oliveira

Published in: Forensic Toxicology | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Purpose

Analysis of new psychoactive substances (NPS) requires high selective analytical methodologies, including high-resolution mass spectrometry. In addition, the development/application of a suitable sample preparation step can provide methods in which low amounts of solvents and samples are used, as well as minimal sample manipulation is required.

Methods

Herein, the use of ambient ionization techniques such as paper spray emerges as a powerful tool to enhance the performance of methodologies, particularly in forensic sciences. In this study, low-voltage paper spray ionization coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (QTOF-MS) method was developed and employed for the qualitative analysis of NPS in street drug blotter samples.

Results

Analysis revealed the presence of LSD (m/z 324.2058); 25C-NBOH (m/z 322.1212); 25E-NBOH (m/z 316.1917); 25I-NBOMe (m/z 428.0699); DOB (m/z 274.0432); and 4′-fluoro-α-pyrrolidinohexanophenone (m/z 264.1768) in the samples analyzed.

Conclusions

This technique was successfully applied for the analysis of NPS and allowed for fast and accurate analytical method that can be highly exploited in forensic screening purposes.

McKenna J, Jett R, Shanks K, Manicke NE (2018) Toxicological drug screening using paper spray high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HR-MS/MS). J Anal Toxicol 42:300–310. https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bky001 CrossRefPubMed

Vincenti M, Salomone A, Gerace E, Pirro V (2013) Application of mass spectrometry to hair analysis for forensic toxicological investigations. Mass Spectrom Rev 32:312–332. https://doi.org/10.1002/mas.21364 CrossRefPubMed

Glicksberg L, Bryand K, Kerrigan S (2016) Identification and quantification of synthetic cathinones in blood and urine using liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time of flight (LC-Q/TOF) mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B 1035:91–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchromb.2016.09.027 CrossRef

Keating JE, Minges JT, Randell SH, Glish GL (2018) Paper spray mass spectrometry for high-throughput quantification of nicotine and cotinine. Anal Methods 10:46–50. https://doi.org/10.1039/C7AY022404B CrossRefPubMed

Liu J, Wang H, Manicke NE, Lin J-M, Cooks RG, Ouyang Z (2010) Development, characterization, and application of paper spray ionization. Anal Chem 82:2463–2471. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac902854g CrossRefPubMed

Maurer HH (2018) Mass spectrometry for research and application in therapeutic drug monitoring or clinical and forensic toxicology. Ther Drug Monit 40:389–393. https://doi.org/10.1097/FTD.0000000000000525 CrossRefPubMed

Adamowicz P, Tokarczyk B (2016) Simple and rapid screening procedure for 143 new psychoactive substances by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Drug Test Anal 8:652–667. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.1815 CrossRefPubMed

Frison G, Odoardi S, Frasson S, Sciarrone R, Ortar G, Romolo FS, Rossi SS (2015) Characterization of the designer drug bk-2C-B (2-amino-1-(bromo-dimethoxyphenyl)ethan-1-one) by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry without and with derivatization with 2,2,2-trichloroethyl chloroformate, liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 29:1196–1204. https://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.721 CrossRefPubMed

Narayanan R, Sarkar D, Cooks RG, Pradeep T (2014) Molecular ionization from carbon nanotube paper. Angew Chem Int Ed 53:5936–5940. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201311053 CrossRef

Title: A low-voltage paper spray ionization QTOF-MS method for the qualitative analysis of NPS in street drug blotter samples
Authors: Letícia Birk
Sarah Eller Franco de Oliveira
Gabriela Mafra
Rafael Brognoli
Marcos Jose Souza Carpes
Daniel Scolmeister
Eduardo Carasek
Josias de Oliveira Merib
Tiago Franco de Oliveira
Publication date: 01-01-2020
Publisher: Springer Singapore
Published in: Forensic Toxicology / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 1860-8965
Electronic ISSN: 1860-8973
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-019-00496-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

A low-voltage paper spray ionization QTOF-MS method for the qualitative analysis of NPS in street drug blotter samples

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2020

A fatal case report of acute yohimbine intoxication

Toxicokinetic studies of the four new psychoactive substances 4-chloroethcathinone, N-ethylnorpentylone, N-ethylhexedrone, and 4-fluoro-alpha-pyrrolidinohexiophenone

Solid-phase extraction based on cation-exchange sorbents followed by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry to determine synthetic cathinones in urine

Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicity of the new psychoactive substance 3,4-dimethylmethcathinone (3,4-DMMC)

Worldwide poisoning potential of Brugmansia and Datura

Identification and imaging of indole-3-carboxamide cannabinoids in hair using matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization mass spectrometry