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Forensic Toxicology

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28-03-2022 | Dextromethorphan | Original Article

Chiral analysis of dextromethorphan and levomethorphan in human hair by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Authors: Jiao-jiao Ji, Junbo Zhao, Ping Xiang, Hui Yan, Min Shen

Published in: Forensic Toxicology | Issue 2/2022

Abstract

Purpose

Methorphan exists in two enantiomeric forms including dextromethorphan and levomethorphan. Dextromethorphan is an over-the-counter antitussive drug, whereas levomethorphan is strictly controlled as a narcotic drug. Chiral analysis of methorphan could, therefore, assist clinicians and forensic experts in differentiating between illicit and therapeutic use and in tracing the source of the drug.

Methods

A method for enantiomeric separation and quantification of levomethorphan and dextromethorphan in human hair was developed and validated using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Hair was extracted in hydrochloric acid/methanol (1:20, v/v). The supernatant were separated using a Supelco Astec Chirobiotic™ V2 column (250 × 2.1 mm, i.d., 5 μm particle size) and analyzed on a triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer in multiple reaction monitoring mode.

Results

The limits of detection for dextromethorphan and levomethorphan were 2 and 1 pg/mg, respectively; the lower limit of quantification was 2 pg/mg for both drugs. Good linearity (r > 0.995) was observed for both analytes over the linear range. Precision values were below 10% for both analytes; accuracy values ranged from 87.5 to 101%. The extraction recoveries were 78.3–98.4%, and matrix effects were 70.5–88.6%. This method was applied to human hair samples from 120 people suspected of methorphan use to further distinguish the drug chirality. Dextromethorphan was detected in all 120 samples at a concentration range of 2.7–19,100 pg/mg, whereas levomethorphan was not detected in any sample.

Conclusions

A sensitive quantitative method was established for the enantiomeric separation of dextromethorphan and levomethorphan in hair. This is the first study to achieve chiral analysis of methorphan in human hair.

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Title: Chiral analysis of dextromethorphan and levomethorphan in human hair by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Jiao-jiao Ji
Junbo Zhao
Ping Xiang
Hui Yan
Min Shen
Publication date: 28-03-2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore
Keyword: Dextromethorphan
Published in: Forensic Toxicology / Issue 2/2022
Print ISSN: 1860-8965
Electronic ISSN: 1860-8973
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-022-00620-2

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Chiral analysis of dextromethorphan and levomethorphan in human hair by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

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