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Forensic Toxicology

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01-07-2020 | Alkaloids | Original Article

Comparative molecular networking analysis of a Rauwolfia plant powder and biological matrices in a fatal ingestion case

Authors: Sophie Allard, Brendan Le Daré, Pierre-Marie Allard, Isabelle Morel, Thomas Gicquel

Published in: Forensic Toxicology | Issue 2/2020

Abstract

Purpose

Identifying xenobiotics involved in deaths remains a challenge in toxicology, especially when they are missing from the usual suspect databases. The tool development for the rapid processing of untargeted screening data is a valuable asset. In recent years, the molecular networking has been developed in various fields, including toxicology, because of its ability to graphically display and compare complex data acquired from tandem mass spectrometry. Here, we report a case of fatal poisoning by ingestion of an unknown powder (labelled as Tabernanthe iboga) and apply molecular networking to tentatively identify the plant involved in a woman’s death.

Methods

The supposedly ingested powder, an authentic Tabernanthe iboga root powder and postmortemed biological samples (peripheral blood and bile) were extracted and analyzed according to a screening method using high resolution liquid chromatography hyphenated to tandem mass spectrometry (Q-Exactive^®).

Results

Analysis of these four matrices by molecular networking revealed a cluster of nodes composed of indolomonoterpenic alkaloids, a characteristic of the Apocynaceae family (ibogaine, ibogamine, ajmaline, reserpiline, yohimbine). Analysis of the spectral annotations of the supposedly ingested powder also shows a majority of occurrences related to the genus Rauwolfia, which differed from the authentic Tabernanthe iboga root powder.

Conclusions

Molecular networking allowed us to discard the Tabernanthe iboga identification hypothesis and suggest an alternate Apocynaceae species, most likely belonging to the Rauwolfia genus. In addition, eleven putative compounds could be detected by the molecular networking, many of which seemed to be metabolites of the major components in the Rauwolfia genus.

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Title: Comparative molecular networking analysis of a Rauwolfia plant powder and biological matrices in a fatal ingestion case
Authors: Sophie Allard
Brendan Le Daré
Pierre-Marie Allard
Isabelle Morel
Thomas Gicquel
Publication date: 01-07-2020
Publisher: Springer Singapore
Keywords: Alkaloids
Alkaloids
Published in: Forensic Toxicology / Issue 2/2020
Print ISSN: 1860-8965
Electronic ISSN: 1860-8973
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-020-00531-0

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Comparative molecular networking analysis of a Rauwolfia plant powder and biological matrices in a fatal ingestion case

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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