Evidence of Natural GHB Presence in Energy Drinks: Caution in Data Interpretation in Suspected DFSA Cases

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 811-817
Author(s):  
Fabio Vaiano ◽  
Federica Umani Ronchi
Keyword(s):  
Human Body ◽  
Data Interpretation ◽  
Energy Drinks ◽  
Liquid Extraction ◽  
Sexual Assaults ◽  
Hydroxybutyric Acid ◽  
Liquid Liquid Extraction ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Exogenous Addition ◽  
Active Dose

Abstract Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), usually reported as rape drug in drug-facilitated sexual assaults (DFSA), is an endogenous substance in human body and is also found in many beverages. This may lead to data misinterpretation in forensic cases. Herein, we aimed to collect evidence about natural GHB presence in 13 energy drinks (ED). After a liquid–liquid extraction with acidic ethyl acetate, samples were derivatized with BSTFA 1% TMCS. Analyses were carried out by a GC–MS system in SIM mode (GHB, 233, 234, 143 and 147 m/z; GHB-d6, 239, 240, 120 and 206 m/z). GHB was present in all the samples at very low concentrations ranging from 98 to 197 ng/mL. Thus, GHB presence in ED is not exclusively related to exogenous addition. Since the GHB levels are far lower than the minimum active dose (i.e., 0.5 g), it is not expected to induce any effect.

Comparison of Sorption and Extraction Methods for Recovery of Trace Organics from Water

1983 ◽  
Vol 15 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 149-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
V C Blok ◽  
G P Slater ◽  
E M Giblin
Keyword(s):  
Solvent Extraction ◽  
Methylene Chloride ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Liquid Extraction ◽  
Standard Mixture ◽  
Liquid Liquid Extraction ◽  
Trace Organics ◽  
Tenax Gc

Several commercially available adsorbents were compared with solvent extraction methods for their utility in recovering trace organics from water. The adsorbents examined included Amberlite XAD-2, XAD-4 and XAD-8, Ambersorb XE340 and XE348 and Tenax-GC. All were found to produce high artifact levels, even after extensive clean-up, making them unsuitable for the analysis of trace organics in water. Quantitatively, Likens-Nickerson or continuous liquid-liquid extraction with méthylene chloride gave better recoveries than the adsorbents. Qualitatively, extractive methods were preferred as they yielded much lower levels of impurities than the adsorbents. These methods of recovering trace organics were evaluated using a standard mixture of compounds added to the water at a level of 55 µg/l. Likens-Nickerson extraction gave comparable recoveries of this mixture at 55 µg/l and 11 µg/l.

Study of the film formation process in liquid-liquid extraction flow injection analysis

1991 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 1228-1237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vlastimil Kubáň
Keyword(s):  
Flow System ◽  
Detection System ◽  
Film Formation ◽  
Liquid Extraction ◽  
Photometric Detection ◽  
Liquid Liquid Extraction ◽  
Teflon Tube ◽  
Continuous Stream ◽  
Computer Controlled ◽  
Segmented Volume

The behaviour of a thin film of an organic solvent on the walls of the extraction coil in a continuous liquid-liquid extraction flow system was studied using a computer-controlled fast-recording on-tube photometric detection system (approx. 3 ms time resolution). A single-loop injector was employed to introduce precise, reproducible volumes (Sr < 2%) of one phase into the continuous stream of the other as a segmented volume standard. The film thickness Df, ranging from 1 to 20 μm for a 0.7 mm teflon tube, was calculated from the segment lengthening at a different chloroform flow rates and was found to obey a polynominal dependence on the linear flow rate, df = f(uα), where α < 1.

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