Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://doi.org/10.25358/openscience-7714
Authors: Kleis, Jan-Niklas
Hess, Cornelius
Germerott, Tanja
Roehrich, Jörg
Title: Sensitive screening of synthetic cannabinoids using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry after solid phase extraction
Online publication date: 12-Sep-2022
Year of first publication: 2021
Language: english
Abstract: Analysis of synthetic cannabinoids still poses a challenge for many institutions due to the number of available substances and the constantly changing drug market. Both new and well-known substances keep appearing and disappearing on the market, making it hard to adapt analytical methods in a timely manner. In this study, we developed a qualitative screening approach for synthetic cannabinoids and their metabolites by means of liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). Samples were measured in data-dependent auto-MS/MS mode and identified by fragment spectra, retention time and accurate mass. Two established solid phase extractions were compared using fortified serum and urine samples. Mixes of 199 synthetic cannabinoids and 110 metabolites were used in 1- and 10-ng/ml concentrations. Up to 93% of synthetic cannabinoids and 74% of metabolites were detected in fortified 1-ng/ml samples. From February 2018 to October 2020, we analyzed 1492 cases, of which 73 cases were positive for synthetic cannabinoids or metabolites. 5F-MDMB-PICA, 4F-MDMB-BINACA, MDMB-4en-PINACA, and 4F-MDMB-BICA were most frequently detected. Hydrolysis metabolites were detected in many blood samples, providing a longer detection window. Quantification was conducted via liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry after liquid–liquid extraction. Concentrations were mostly close to 1 ng/ml in blood samples. LC-QTOF-MS was able to detect substances above trace quantities (< 0.1 ng/ml) in most cases, therefore fulfilling its purpose as a sensitive general screening approach. Expansion of the screening library was uncomplicated and enables future additions for up to thousands of targets.
DDC: 610 Medizin
610 Medical sciences
Institution: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
Department: FB 04 Medizin
Place: Mainz
ROR: https://ror.org/023b0x485
DOI: http://doi.org/10.25358/openscience-7714
Version: Published version
Publication type: Zeitschriftenaufsatz
License: CC BY-NC-ND
Information on rights of use: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Journal: Drug testing and analysis
13
8
Pages or article number: 1535
1551
Publisher: Wiley
Publisher place: Hoboken, NJ
Issue date: 2021
ISSN: 1942-7611
Publisher DOI: 10.1002/dta.3052
Appears in collections:JGU-Publikationen

Files in This Item:
  File Description SizeFormat
Thumbnail
sensitive_screening_of_synthe-20220905110014872.pdf1.88 MBAdobe PDFView/Open