scholarly journals Application of advanced mass spectrometric techniques for the identification, metabolic characterisation and toxicological analysis of new psychoactive substances

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
David Fabregat Safont
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometric ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Toxicological Analysis ◽  
Mass Spectrometric Techniques

scholarly journals Unexpected results found in larvae samples from two postmortem forensic cases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olwen Groth ◽  
Simon Franz ◽  
Helena Fels ◽  
Julia Krueger ◽  
Gabriele Roider ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Pericardial Fluid ◽  
Supplementary Information ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Toxicological Analysis

Abstract Purpose In forensics, entomological specimens can be used as additional/alternative matrices to detect xenobiotics when human specimens are limited in their application. Despite some advantages over implementing putrefied human remains, most medico-legal laboratories do not include entomotoxicological procedures as routine analytical methods. We thus applied two authentic cases to evaluate necrophagous larvae’s potential as complementary matrices for toxicological analysis after extensive postmortem decomposition. Methods Larvae and postmortem human samples, including hair, stomach contents, pericardial fluid, liver, lung, and skeletal muscle, were collected at autopsy. Samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry for pharmaceutical substances, illicit drugs, and new psychoactive substances, including synthetic cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, new synthetic opioids, and stimulants. Results Nearly all substances detected in human specimens, including several benzodiazepines and synthetic cannabinoids, were also detected in larvae. Surprisingly, some drugs, including the new psychoactive substances EAM-2201 and U-47700, were found exclusively in larvae and hair. The benzodiazepine etizolam was detected only in liver, lungs, and stomach contents, possibly resulting from characteristic tissue distribution in humans and/or larvae. Conclusions Antemortem external hair contamination with synthetic cannabinoids from side-stream smoke and postmortem hair contamination with substances in putrefaction fluids can be supposed in these cases. Our findings suggest that supplementary information can indeed be gained from analyzing larvae additional to those human specimens that are typically used for toxicological analysis after extensive postmortem decomposition. Nevertheless, these results represent merely two cases, requiring in-depth studies to determine whether such findings can identify acute intoxications as possible causes of death.

scholarly journals New Synthetic Cathinones and Phenylethylamine Derivatives Analysis in Hair: A Review

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (20) ◽  
pp. 6143
Author(s):  
Vittorio Bolcato ◽  
Claudia Carelli ◽  
Alessandra Radogna ◽  
Francesca Freni ◽  
Matteo Moretti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drugs Of Abuse ◽  
Mass Spectrometric ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Tandem Mass ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
New Class ◽  
Synthetic Cathinone ◽  
Tandem Mass Spectrometric ◽  
Emerging Substances ◽  
Resolution Mass

The analysis of psychoactive substances in hair is of great importance for both clinical and forensic toxicologists since it allows one to evaluate past and continuative exposure to xenobiotics. In particular, a new challenge is represented by new psychoactive substances: Among this new class of drugs of abuse, synthetic cathinone and phenethylamine derivatives are often detected in biological samples. Hence, there is a growing need to develop new analytical procedures or improve old ones in order to conduct evaluations of these emerging substances. This study is a systematic review of all the instrumental and experimental data available in the literature. A total of 32 articles were included in the review. Acidic solvents proved to be the most reliable solutions for extraction. Gas chromatography and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometric and high-resolution mass spectrometric systems represent the majority of the involved instrumental techniques. Sensitivity must be maintained at the pg/mg level to detect any occurrences up to occasional consumption. In total, 23 out of 32 articles reported real positive samples. The most frequently detected substance in hair was mephedrone, followed by butylone, methylone, MDPV, and α-pyrrolidinophenone-type substances.

Voltammetric profiling of new psychoactive substances: Piperazine derivatives

2021 ◽  
Vol 883 ◽  
pp. 115054
Author(s):  
D. Martins ◽  
E.M.P.J. Garrido ◽  
F. Borges ◽  
J.M.P.J. Garrido
Keyword(s):  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Piperazine Derivatives

scholarly journals Mortality involving New Psychoactive Substances across Europe, 2016- 2017

2021 ◽  
pp. 100016
Author(s):  
Hugo López-Pelayo ◽  
Julian Vicente ◽  
Ana Gallegos ◽  
Andrew McAuley ◽  
Yacin Buyuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances

scholarly journals Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry and High-Sensitivity Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Screening of Classic Drugs and New Psychoactive Substances and Metabolites in Urine of Consumers

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 4000
Author(s):  
Emilia Marchei ◽  
Maria Alias Ferri ◽  
Marta Torrens ◽  
Magí Farré ◽  
Roberta Pacifici ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Gas Chromatography ◽  
Mobile Phase ◽  
High Performance ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
New Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Resolution Mass

The use of the new psychoactive substances is continuously growing and the implementation of accurate and sensible analysis in biological matrices of users is relevant and fundamental for clinical and forensic purposes. Two different analytical technologies, high-sensitivity gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) were used for a screening analysis of classic drugs and new psychoactive substances and their metabolites in urine of formed heroin addicts under methadone maintenance therapy. Sample preparation involved a liquid-liquid extraction. The UHPLC-HRMS method included Accucore™ phenyl Hexyl (100 × 2.1 mm, 2.6 μm, Thermo, USA) column with a gradient mobile phase consisting of mobile phase A (ammonium formate 2 mM in water, 0.1% formic acid) and mobile phase B (ammonium formate 2 mM in methanol/acetonitrile 50:50 (v/v), 0.1% formic acid) and a full-scan data-dependent MS2 (ddMS2) mode for substances identification (mass range 100–1000 m/z). The GC-MS method employed an ultra-Inert Intuvo GC column (HP-5MS UI, 30 m, 250 µm i.d, film thickness 0.25 µm; Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) and electron-impact (EI) mass spectra were recorded in total ion monitoring mode (scan range 40–550 m/z). Urine samples from 296 patients with a history of opioid use disorder were examined. Around 80 different psychoactive substances and/or metabolites were identified, being methadone and metabolites the most prevalent ones. The possibility to screen for a huge number of psychotropic substances can be useful in suspected drug related fatalities or acute intoxication/exposure occurring in emergency departments and drug addiction services.

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