A new LC-MS/MS confirmation method for the determination of 17 drugs of abuse in oral fluid and its application to real samples

Forensic Sci Int. 2020 Jul:312:110330. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110330. Epub 2020 May 12.

Abstract

A new liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) confirmation method for the direct analysis of 17 drugs starting from 200μL of diluted oral fluid (OF), in a single chromatographic run, was developed and validated. Cocaine, benzoylecgonine (BEG), cocaethylene, Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-9-THC), buprenorphine, 6-acetylmorphine (6AM), morphine, codeine, methadone, 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP), amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (MDE), ketamine, N-methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine (MBDB) were determined in a chromatographic run of 12min only with no sample pre-treatment, after the addition of 15 different internal standards (ISs). The method met all requirements in terms of linearity, accuracy (precision and trueness), recovery, and stability requested by FDA guidelines. Carry-over and interferences were negligible, as well as the matrix effects. LLOQs are below the limits defined by European guidelines and Italian national laws. The original oral fluid collections are stable at least six months at -20°C and one week at +4°C.

Keywords: Confirmation method; Drugs of abuse; Forensic toxicology; Hyphenated configuration; Oral fluid.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods*
  • Forensic Toxicology / methods
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs / analysis*
  • Saliva / chemistry*
  • Specimen Handling
  • Substance Abuse Detection / methods
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Illicit Drugs