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Published in: Forensic Toxicology 1/2021

Open Access 01-01-2021 | Short Communication

On practical problems in precise estimation of 5F-ADB in urine samples

Authors: Michal P. Dybowski, Rafal Typek, Andrzej L. Dawidowicz, Piotr Holowinski

Published in: Forensic Toxicology | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to establish if there are any problems in precise quantitation of methyl 2-[1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamido]-3,3-dimethylbutanoate (5F-ADB) in human urine by QuEChERS extraction coupled with gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS).

Methods

To establish the method for quantifying 5F-ADB in human urine samples, QuEChERS extraction coupled with GC–MS/MS was applied. To elucidate 5F-ADB degradation products, liquid chromatography coupled with linear trap quadrupole-orbitrap hybrid MS (LC–MS) was used.

Results

The applied QuEChERS GC–MS/MS procedure appeared to be satisfactory for 5F-ADB estimation in acidic and alkaline urine samples. Its validation parameters were the following: good linearity (R2 = 0.9988), high detection (limit of detection = 0.33 ng/mL) and quantitation (limit of quantitation = 1.1 ng/mL) sensitivities and satisfactory inter- and intraday precisions (% relative standard deviation below 5.6%). 5F-ADB recovery from acidic urine by QuEChERS procedure was slightly lower than that from urine sample with neutral pH; however, the difference in the recovery was not statistically significant. The recovery of the drug from alkaline urine is extremely low. LC–MS analysis proved the presence of 5F-ADB hydrolysis products in alkaline urine and in alkaline solution of the drug.

Conclusions

The presented studies indicate that the validated QuEChERS technique can be successfully used in routine analyses of 5F-ADB in urine. Yet, due to hydrolytical instability of 5F-ADB, the medical diagnosis of the health condition of the patient suspected of 5F-ADB abuse on the basis of the drug concentration in his/her urine may be incorrect, especially when the urine is alkaline.
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Metadata
Title
On practical problems in precise estimation of 5F-ADB in urine samples
Authors
Michal P. Dybowski
Rafal Typek
Andrzej L. Dawidowicz
Piotr Holowinski
Publication date
01-01-2021
Publisher
Springer Singapore
Published in
Forensic Toxicology / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 1860-8965
Electronic ISSN: 1860-8973
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-020-00542-x

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