Desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization-mass spectrometry in routine analysis of confiscated drugs

Tiina J Kauppila; Anu Flink; Markus Haapala; Ulla-Maija Laakkonen; Laura Aalberg; Raimo A Ketola; Risto Kostiainen

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.03.018

Desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization-mass spectrometry in routine analysis of confiscated drugs

Forensic Sci Int. 2011 Jul 15;210(1-3):206-12. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.03.018. Epub 2011 Apr 6.

Authors

Tiina J Kauppila¹, Anu Flink, Markus Haapala, Ulla-Maija Laakkonen, Laura Aalberg, Raimo A Ketola, Risto Kostiainen

Affiliation

¹ Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, Helsinki 00014, Finland. tiina.kauppila@helsinki.fi

PMID: 21474259
DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.03.018

Abstract

A comprehensive study was made, where desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization (DAPPI) was applied to the direct analysis of confiscated drugs and pharmaceuticals of various forms and matrices. The analyzed samples included herbal products [Catha edulis (khat), Psilocybe mushrooms, opium and Spice], designer drugs in tablet and powder form [e.g. meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), 3-fluoromethamphetamine (3-FMA), methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and methylone], and anabolic steroids in oil and tablets. The analyses were performed with ion trap mass spectrometer in MS and MS(2) modes and the obtained spectra were compared with GC-MS results. Contamination of the mass spectrometer was avoided by careful adjustment of the distance of the sample from the mass spectrometer inlet. DAPPI proved to be a fast and specific analysis technique, which does not require any sample preparation, and which therefore suits well to this type of forensic analysis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't