scholarly journals Voltammetric Analysis of New Psychoactive Substances

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-314
Author(s):  
Ketan Patil ◽  
Astha Pandey
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Stripping Voltammetry ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Differential Pulse ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Voltammetric Analysis ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Variable Nature

New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) are synthetic drugs that create similar effects as various narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Different NPS such as mephedrone, synthacaine, synthetic cannabinoids, etc. are available today which are sold across numerous platforms like drug markets, head shops, the dark web, etc. They are emerging rapidly and becoming popular in society because of their variable nature and ease in avoiding breaking the law. Consequently, their analysis is extremely crucial in the prohibition of drug abuse and the development of laboratory methods. This review introduces a broad overview of the analysis of various new psychoactive substances by voltammetric techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, stripping voltammetry etc. It also focuses on various methodologies that were developed for the detection of these NPS which play a leading role in forensic investigation by providing a rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective platform of analysis. The need for the advancement of various detection methods and analysis of more drugs is additionally discussed.

scholarly journals Spectroscopic and Voltammetric Analysis of Platinum Group Metals in Road Dust and Roadside Soil

Environments ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlton van der Horst ◽  
Bongiwe Silwana ◽  
Emmanuel Iwuoha ◽  
Vernon Somerset
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Stripping Voltammetry ◽  
Differential Pulse ◽  
Platinum Group Metals ◽  
Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry ◽  
Good Precision ◽  
Voltammetric Analysis ◽  
Voltammetric Methods

The emission of toxic compounds by increasing anthropogenic activities affects human health and the environment. Heavy road traffic and mining activities are the major anthropogenic activities contributing to the presence of metals in the environment. The release of palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), and rhodium (Rh) into the environment increases the levels of contamination in soils, road sediments, airborne particles, and plants. These Pd, Pt, and Rh in road dusts can be soluble and enter aquatic environment posing a risk to environment and human health. The aim of this study is to determine the levels of Pd, Pt, and Rh with spectroscopy and voltammetric methods. Potential interferences by other metal ions (Na(I), Fe(III), Ni(II), Co(II)) in voltammetric methods have also been investigated in this study. At all the sampling sites very low concentrations of Pd, Pt, and Rh were found at levels that range from 0.48 ± 0.05 to 5.44 ± 0.11 ng/g (dry weight (d.wt)) for Pd(II), with 17.28 ± 3.12 to 81.44 ± 3.07 pg/g (d.wt) for Pt(II), and 14.34 ± 3.08 to 53.35 ± 4.07 pg/g (d.wt) for Rh(III). The instrumental limit of detection for Pd, Pt, and Rh for Inductively Coupled Plasma Quadrupole-based Mass Spectrometry (ICP-QMS) analysis was found to be 3 × 10−6 µg/g, 3 × 10−6 µg/g and 1 × 10−6 µg/g, respectively. In the case of voltammetric analysis the instrumental limit of detection for Pd(II), Pt(II), and Rh(III) for differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry was found to be 7 × 10−8 µg/g, 6 × 10−8 µg/g, and 2 × 10−7 µg/g, respectively. For the sensor application, good precision was obtained due to consistently reproduced the measurements with a reproducibility of 6.31% for Pt(II), 7.58% for Pd(II), and 5.37% for Rh(III) (n = 10). The reproducibility for ICP-QMS analysis were 1.58% for Pd(II), 1.12% for Pt(II), and 1.37% for Rh(III) (n = 5). In the case of repeatability for differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry (DPAdSV) and ICP-QMS, good standard deviations of 0.01 for Pd(II); 0.02 for Pt(II), 0.009 for Rh(III) and 0.011 for Pd, 0.019 for Pt and 0.013 for Rh, respectively.

scholarly journals Molecular Networking: A Useful Tool for the Identification of New Psychoactive Substances in Seizures by LC–HRMS

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flaminia Vincenti ◽  
Camilla Montesano ◽  
Francesca Di Ottavio ◽  
Adolfo Gregori ◽  
Dario Compagnone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Product ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Nmr Analysis ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Molecular Networking ◽  
Fentanyl Analogs ◽  
Global Concern ◽  
Product Search

New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) are a global concern since they are spreading at an unprecedented rate. Despite their commerce still being limited compared to traditional illicit drugs, the identification of NPS in seizures may represent a challenge because of the variety of possible structures. In this study we report the successful application of molecular networking (MN) to identify unexpected fentanyl analogs in two seizures. The samples were extracted with 1 mL of methanol and analyzed with an untargeted data-dependent acquisition approach by LC–HRMS. The obtained data were examined using the MN workflow within the Global Natural Product Search (GNPS). A job was submitted to GNPS by including both seizures and standard mixtures containing synthetic cannabinoids and fentanyls raw files; spectra obtained from standards were used to establish representative networks for both molecular classes. All synthetic cannabinoids in the mixture were linked together resulting in a molecular network despite their different fragmentation spectra. Looking at fentanyls, all the molecules with the typical 188.143 and 105.070 fragments were combined in a representative network. By exploiting the standard networks two unexpected fentanyls were found in the analyzed seizures and were putatively annotated as para-fluorofuranylfentanyl and (iso)butyrylfentanyl. The identity of these two fentanyl analogs was confirmed by NMR analysis. Other m/z ratios in the seizures were compatible with fentanyl derivatives; however, they appeared to be minor constituents, probably impurities or synthetic byproducts. The latter might be of interest for investigations of common fingerprints among different seizures.

Screening of 104 New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and Other Drugs of Abuse in Oral Fluid by LC–MS-MS

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 697-707
Author(s):  
Kelly Francisco da Cunha ◽  
Karina Diniz Oliveira ◽  
Marilyn A Huestis ◽  
Jose Luiz Costa
Keyword(s):  
Oral Fluid ◽  
Drugs Of Abuse ◽  
Matrix Effects ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Simultaneous Detection ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract New psychoactive substances (NPS) are a major public health problem, primarily due to the increased number of acute poisoning cases. Detection of these substances is a challenge. The aim of this research was to develop and validate a sensitive screening method for 104 drugs of abuse, including synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones, fentanyl analogues, phenethylamines and other abused psychoactive compounds (i.e., THC, MDMA, LSD and their metabolites) in oral fluid by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS-MS). The Quantisal™ oral fluid device was used to collect oral fluid samples. The oral fluid–elution buffer mixture (500-μL sample) was extracted with t-butyl methyl ether, and chromatographic separation was performed on a Raptor™ biphenyl column (100 × 2.1 mm ID, 2.7 μm), with a total run time of 13.5 min. Limits of detection were established at three concentrations (0.05, 0.1 or 1 ng/mL) for most analytes, except for acetyl norfentanyl and mescaline (5 ng/mL). Matrix effects were generally <20% and overall extraction recoveries >60%. The highest matrix effect was observed within the synthetic cannabinoid group (PB22, −55.5%). Lower recoveries were observed for 2C-T (47.2%) and JWH-175 (58.7%). Recoveries from the Quantisal™ device were also evaluated for all analytes (56.7–127%), with lower recoveries noted for 25I-NBOMe, valerylfentanyl and mCPP (56.7, 63.0 and 69.9%, respectively). Drug stability in oral fluid was evaluated at 15, 60 and 90 days and at 25, 4 and −20°C. As expected, greater stability was observed when samples were stored at −20°C, but even when frozen, some NPS (e.g., synthetic cannabinoids) showed more than 20% degradation. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of seven authentic oral fluid samples positive for 17 different analytes. The method achieved good sensitivity and simultaneous detection of a wide range of NPS.

Recent bionalytical methods for the determination of new psychoactive substances in biological specimens

Bioanalysis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 1557-1595
Author(s):  
Ana Y Simão ◽  
Mónica Antunes ◽  
Hernâni Marques ◽  
Tiago Rosado ◽  
Sofia Soares ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Toxicity ◽  
Analytical Methods ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Clinical Action ◽  
One Step ◽  
Preparation Techniques

One of the problems associated with the consumption of new psychoactive substances is that in most scenarios of acute toxicity the possibility of quick clinical action may be impaired because many screening methods are not responsive to them, and laboratories are not able to keep pace with the appearance of new substances. For these reasons, developing and validating new analytical methods is mandatory in order to efficiently face those problems, allowing laboratories to be one step ahead. The goal of this work is to perform a critical review regarding bionalytical methods that can be used for the determination of new psychoactive substances (phenylethylamines, cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids, opioids, benzodiazepines, etc), particularly concerning sample preparation techniques and associated analytical methods.

scholarly journals Streets of the ‘spice zombies’: Dependence and poverty stigma in times of austerity

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liviu Alexandrescu
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Cultural Analysis ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
The Political ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Political Discourses ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Poor ◽  
National Media

Following the 2016 general ban on new psychoactive substances, synthetic cannabinoids (‘spice’-type drugs) have moved into unregulated street markets and have become popular among homeless populations in the United Kingdom. Images of so-called ‘spice zombies’, rough sleepers in public spaces experiencing severe substance-induced fits, have been used by local and national media to suggest the growing scale of the problem. This article proposes that such depictions should be read through a cultural analysis rooted in the political economy of austerity policies, where the twofold stigma of substance and welfare dependencies directs guilt at the poor, concealing the systemic cruelty of benefits reforms. Through the circulation of such tropes and the ridiculing of a superfluous abject underclass that embodies them, media and political discourses of the ‘broken society’ highlight an evident need for welfare reduction and more generally for the austerity project.

MT-45: A new, dangerous legal high

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Coppola, MD ◽  
Raffaella Mondola, MD
Keyword(s):  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Legal Highs ◽  
Smart Drugs ◽  
Research Chemicals ◽  
Medical Emergencies ◽  
Legal High

Epidemiological data confirm that the use of new psychoactive substances is on the rise around the world.1 Numerous reports have described medical emergencies associated with the consumption of unconventional drugs of misuse bought in “head” or “smart” shops or online.1 New psychoactive substances, also referred as “legal highs,” “smart drugs,” or “research chemicals,” are a large group of both plant derivatives and synthetic compounds, also in combination, purposefully designed as legal alternatives to illicit substances of abuse. The most popular and widely-spread new psychoactive substances are synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones, however, various different compounds such as amphetamine-like molecules, arylcyclohexylamines, synthetic hallucinogens, prescription drugs and hormones have been found in recreational products marketed as legal highs.1

scholarly journals New psychoactive substances: psychiatrist's view

2019 ◽  
pp. 57-67
Author(s):  
Andrey Viktorovich Antsyborov ◽  
Irina Vladimirovna Dubatova
Keyword(s):  
Opioid Receptors ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Designer Drugs ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Gaba A ◽  
Psychoactive Effects ◽  
Legal High ◽  
Derivatives Of

Appearing not long ago, new psychoactive substances (designer drugs), including synthetic cannabinoids, derivatives of cathinone, phenethylamines, new stimulants, synthetic opioids, tryptamine derivatives, phencyclidine, piperazine, the GABA (A/B) receptors agonists, have become a serious problem for consumers and for physicians. Consumers of these substances are attracted primarily by the intensity of psychoactive effects, and the «legal high» declared by the black manufacturers, which indicates that significant difficulties in a laboratory identification of new surfactants. Designer drugs, when ingested, can be influenced on many neurotransmitter pathways/receptors: dopamine, cannabinoid (CB1), GABA (A/B), 5-HT2A, glutamate, and k-opioid receptors (KOR), the imbalance of which leads to the development of polymorphic psychotic disorders.

scholarly journals Development of an In-Field Method for the Detection of Barium in Various Water Samples Using Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
S. Ridgway ◽  
M. Wajrak
Keyword(s):  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Anodic Stripping Voltammetry ◽  
Stripping Voltammetry ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Differential Pulse ◽  
Field Method ◽  
Barium Concentration ◽  
Inductively Coupled ◽  
Icp Ms ◽  
Anodic Stripping

This work presents a reliable, cost-effective, rapid and in-field voltammetric method for the detection of barium. The optimized method consists of an ultrathin mercury film deposited in situ on a glassy carbon electrode in dilute potassium chloride without deoxygenation, using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DP-ASV). Application of the method allowed for the quantitative determination of barium concentration in a variety of waters and brake pad dust samples. Comparative analysis of sample results from DP-ASV with inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) showed a mean percent difference of 1.8%.

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